Last year 10-year-old Tadhg Giles caught viral encephalitis from influenza A and experienced a 70-minute seizure which left him with a brain injury.
After time spent in hospital he was transferred to a children’s rehabilitation facility, the Wilson Centre in Takapuna.
He was able to regain some movement, but he no longer speaks and is cognitively impaired.
Now his parents Laura Devine-Giles and Greg Giles are caring for him in their Christchurch home, but he needs constant supervision and the support of two adults at all times.
Mr Giles said they had rearranged their home to allow for separate areas for Tadhg and their 2-year-old daughter Teagan, and a roster of friends helped care for Tadhg.
Mrs Devine-Giles said it was hard to say whether there would be further recovery.
"The recovery is limited, but at this stage, they don’t know, neurologists don’t know," she said.
"He says our guess is as good as his as to the amount that he will recover and how long it may take him to recover further than he has managed to date."
Since moving back to their home Tadhg had become less agitated
"He does seem to be less agitated than he was, you know, two weeks ago, so I don’t know if that is because of the familiar surroundings here in the house, or is it because, everything is a little bit calmer here for him."
His aunt Paula Cotter, of Dunedin, has organised a quiz night to help raise funds needed for his continued care.
Prizes include an All Blacks jersey signed by Kieran Reid, a round of golf with Olympian Tom Walsh and a team building or mentoring session with Paralympian Holly Robinson.
"It’s going to be a great night with some great prizes and some really amazing auction items."
Mrs Cotter thanked the many families and businesses who had provided donations.
"All to support Tadhg to put money towards his future," she said.
"Whatever that entails, he is going to need a lot of support."
Aroha for Tadhg
Quiz night and auction
Friday, March 22 from 7pm
Green Island Rugby Club
To book a table visit Facebook and search for Aroha for Tadhg.
To give visit Givealittle.co.nz and search for Tadhg.
