THE family of a Northside man who suffered severe injuries in a horrific road accident in Thailand has launched an appeal to raise funds for his medical care.
On November 15, Alan Penrose, from Raheny, sustained multiple injuries including a serious head trauma, kidney damage and multiple breaks and fractures of his skull/facial bones.
Alan also suffered secondary injuries including complete sight and hearing loss on his right side.
He was rushed to hospital in Phuket where an emergency craniotomy was performed to remove epidural hematoma (bleeding) and reduce swelling on the brain.
Alan’s wife Melissa, who was in Australia, received the terrible call that threw the family into a crisis. Melissa was told that Alan was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in a critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery on his brain.
He was in an induced coma and was on a ventilator to keep him alive.
After hearing of the accident, members of Alan’s family flew to Thailand from Ireland while his wife made arrangements to fly from Australia straight to Phuket.
At the launch of their Go Fund Me appeal, Alan’s family said: “In April, Alan and Melissa welcomed their beautiful baby girl Kaia into their little family.
“Their future was bright and they cherished every moment together witnessing their baby grow and develop and explore her new little world.
“We all witnessed Alan become an incredible father.
“To say he dotes on his daughter would be an understatement.
“He is a very proud daddy and absolutely adores his little girl who lights up when she sees her ‘dada’.”
With clearance from the doctor, Alan was transferred to a private hospital in Phuket and returned to a specialised ICU.
He is awake and breathing on his own and is now being attended to by professionals with greater expertise of head and brain injuries.
Alan will need specialised treatment in order to come through this successfully, and the move to an appropriate international hospital was the critical first step.
His condition has stabilised but he won’t be in a fit condition to move out of hospital for a number of weeks.
Through Go Fund Me, Alan’s family said: “Needless to say, this is a hugely expensive but necessary process, and one that is key in order for Alan to make a full recovery.
“We have agonised over the decision to seek your help but the truth is, our family needs it to cover medical expenses whilst Alan receives critical care.
“Anyone who knows Alan knows the kind of person he is. Alan is a true Irish gentleman, full of life and full of fun.
“He has a heart of gold and would do anything to help out someone in need. It is now our turn to help Alan. So we ask you to support Alan on this heartbreaking journey in whatever way you can.”
Alan’s family has launched a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds as part of their appeal. If you would like to make a donation, go to gofundme.com Alan Penrose.