Jake Ferrier parents speak out after freak Logan skating accident

A young father might never be able to talk to his baby son again, after a freak skating accident left him wheelchair bound and non-verbal. But he is staging a remarkable recovery after his parents said doctors wanted to turn off his life support.

Jake Ferrier, of Logan, 26. Picture – GoFundMe.

A young father who was left wheelchair-bound and non-verbal after a freak roller skating accident last year has beaten the odds.

Jake Ferrier, 26, of Logan, is on his way to making a miraculous recovery despite doctors telling his parents he was brain dead and life support should be turned off.

Mr Ferrier had only recently become a father at the time of the accident.

He played inline hockey for the Warriors in the super league and taught children how to skate at Digi Skating Rink at Logan Central on his weekends.

He was well known in Logan, particularly in the skating community, for his happy nature, cheeky smile and love of banter.

His father, Michael Ferrier, said he loved mucking around with his mates and working with children.

When he wasn’t teaching them to skate he would DJ for them at the skate rink.

But on May 7 last year his world turned upside down when he was involved in a crash at the rink.

He was racing mates on a night off when he fell backwards while trying to stop.

He crashed headfirst into a wall and then fell to the ground, splitting his head open on both sides.

Mr Ferrier was rushed to hospital where he was put into an induced coma before an eight-hour lifesaving operation on his brain.

His chances of survival were small and relatives were told to say their goodbyes.

Michael and his partner Rebecca said doctors told them he was brain dead.

“They prepared us for the worst and as the weeks went by things did get worse,” Mr Ferrier said.

Jake Ferrier with his mother Rebecca Ferrier (before the accident). Picture: contributed

“He was in ICU on life support for 14 days after his surgery.

“We were told to turn life support off...that he was brain dead.

“They brought it up four times but we never gave up on him.

“We thought about it because doctors know best, but then we figured we’d spend the rest of our lives wondering what if we hadn’t.”

A few weeks later, he eventually woke up.

Mr Ferrier said it did not take long for their son to start coming back to them despite predictions he would not understand anything going on around him, would not recognise his family or be able to communicate.

Jake Ferrier. Picture: GoFundMe

“It started with a few twitches here and there when we were talking to him,” his father said.

“Then one day he squeezed my hand and smiled.

“That moment was everything to us. We just cried.”

Since then the progress has continued and he was now able to move the lefthand side of his body.

“He communicates via gestures,” Mr Ferrier said.

“He can read, write and use his phone.

“We know he knows what’s going on. His emotions are there...we’ve seen him get teary and laughs, and he’ll let us know he’s emotional by putting his hand on his heart.”

After eight months in hospital, his family was finally able to bring their son home.

Jake Ferrier in hospital. Picture: Contributed

“We believe he will talk again,” Mr Ferrier said.

“We don’t know to what extent but he’s proven the doctors wrong so far. We’re just not losing hope.”

Jake’s son, Oliver, was now 20 months old. He hasn’t heard his father’s voice since in about 16 months.

Mr Ferrier said Oliver was Jake’s entire life.

He visited Oliver as often as possible while also seeing five specialists each week – a difficult task for his parents to balance without a wheelchair-accessible car.

Jake Ferrier the day he left hospital (he wrote the sign). Picture – contributed.

They have created a GoFundMe to help them buy a modified car for Jake and have put their work and lives on hold to save their son.

“There’s not a day you go without crying. We’re both as broken as broken can be... emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially,” Mr Ferrier said.

“Everyone says to us we don’t know how you do it, but as parents you’ve got no choice. We’re his voice now.

“But we really need this car to keep him going.

“We have used up all our savings, sold what we can and are unable to get a loan to purchase the car.”

Brittany (his sister), Michael, Rebecca, and Jake Ferrier (before the accident). Picture: Contributed

The family has strong hopes for Jake’s ongoing recovery, saying they must stay positive for his sake.

“We really hope and pray that he’ll be able to walk and talk again and live some kind of better life than what he has been,” Mr Ferrier said.

“If we don’t believe in him than who is? If we don’t push for the best outcome who’s going to do it for him?

“If it wasn’t for us sticking by him he wouldn’t even be here.”

You can support Jake Ferrier and his family here.