What happened next is the worst nightmare a parent can ever imagine.

During the next 17 days Tom was in an induced coma at Westmead intensive care and we were in a living hell not knowing whether our son would survive, or if he did what damage would remain, as we watched and listened to his monitors, equipment and team of doctors keeping him alive.

He spent 30 days in ICU followed by four days in high dependency. After this time, he had lost about 20 kilograms and had to learn to walk and talk again.

Today, six months later, Tom has returned to his plumbing career and is looking forward to the future.

During this incredibly difficult time we have been supported by the Orange community in a way that  we could not have imagined and have been very humbled by the experience.

As it is impossible to thank everyone personally, we would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank-you to:

1. The person who placed Tom in the recovery position and rang an ambulance.

2. NSW Ambulance Service who attended within 15 minutes and resuscitated him when he stopped breathing en route to Orange hospital.

3. Emergency department staff who treated Tom, arranged a CT scan and a helicopter transfer to Westmead Hospital.

4. Orange police, in particular Detective Chris Fraser who has been dedicated to Tom’s case and has assisted our family through the ordeal.

5. NSW Air Ambulance staff who allowed Tom’s mum to fly with him to Westmead and who treated Tom during the flight in a calm, prompt and professional manner, and the  pilots who landed so gently.

6. Westmead intensive care and neurosurgical departments who operated within hours by  inserting an emergency EVD (external ventricular drain), and the team of nurses and  doctors who provided 24-hour round-the-clock care for five weeks.

7. Orange Credit Union for their personal, quick response to assist Tom with his financial commitments.

8. Our employers who provided family support and enabled us to be with our son. 

9. Orange hospital and Orange City Council staff who also gave generously and provided amazing support.

10. Orange and Canowindra communities who gave their time and thoughts to pray for Tom.

11. Tom’s close friends who visited him regularly and kept his spirits high.

12. To a very special friend who delivered home-cooked meals to our younger son Michael  while we were in Sydney

13. Kinross Wolaroi School staff who have been incredibly supportive to our family, in particular Michael during his demanding HSC year.

14. Mid Western Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program for providing information, physiotherapy, assessments and support. 

15. Pete Ward Plumbing for giving Tom support and employment during his transition back to full-time work.

16. Dr Zhou and the team from Orange Family Medical Centre.

17. Rivers Road Organic Farms for their love and support and gifting us our gorgeous puppies to help us through the healing process.

18. To all those who sent cards and messages of hope and support, in particular Suzie Ford and Sandie Flowers who fully understand the journey we are on.

19. Last but not least our families, whose incredible support and love sustained us all.

Thank-you again to everyone involved for their generosity.

Sue, Steve, Tom and Michael Brown, Orange