One Year On: Ballyduff’s Anthony O’Carroll to continue recovery closer to home

One Year On: Ballyduff’s Anthony O’Carroll to continue recovery closer to home
By Sean Moriarty
A year after his horrific crash at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man, Ballyduff road racer Anthony O’Carroll is set to continue his recovery at the Brampton Rehabilitation facility in Oranmore, Galway
He will be transferred there from National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire this Thursday, July 17.
On July 8 last year, Anthony was seriously injured in a crash during sighting laps at the Billown circuit.
He suffered significant head trauma along with fractures to his jaw, spine, ribs, pelvis, hip, arm, and shin.
He was first treated at Nobles Hospital on the island before being airlifted to the Walton Centre in Liverpool. He spent time in ICU in an induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries.
He later returned home to Ireland and was moved to Cork University Hospital before transferring to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. Now he will move to Oranmore to be closer to home.
Anthony’s father, Nelius O’Carroll, says the move will allow for a more intense treatment programme without reliance on the Health Service Executive.
It will also make it easier for family and friends to visit, and it also means Anthony may be able to spend some weekends at home.
“He is eating normally, his cognitive ability is increasing, his physical programme is going very well and he is standing for short periods of time on his own and the big thing is he no longer needs a hoist to get in and out of bed,” Nelius said.
Anthony has shown steady progress, but still has a long road ahead. In Galway, he will continue to get physio, speech and occupational therapy aimed at rebuilding his strength and independence.
The family have bought a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and has made changes to the family home, including widening doors and adding a wet room.
This work was made possible after a huge fundraiser in Ballyduff last September.
While in the NRH, Anthony struck up an unlikely friendship with Tralee teenager Aaron Powell, who suffered serious head injuries in an e-scooter crash last Christmas.
Both men are in the same hospital and their families now support each other, even bringing the two lads for days out to nearby parks.
Anthony’s family say they are very grateful for the community support during his recovery journey.

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