Harrison Grey, 8, returns home after months of treatment at the WCH

An eight-year-old boy who received months of treatment at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital after being hit by a car and left in a coma is finally heading home.

Eight-year-old Harrison Grey with his mother Paula Apostoles. Picture: Emma Brasier

More than three months after being hit by a car in Darwin, eight-year-old Harrison Grey is almost back to his normal self.

Harrison was struck by a car on December 6 while heading home from school and rushed to hospital with serious head injuries before being placed in an induced coma.

“When we got here, Harrison couldn’t talk, walk, he couldn’t sit up,” Harrison’s mother Paula Apostoles said.

“He couldn’t do anything.

“When he come out of his coma he was in really bad post traumatic amnesia where he pretty much rolled around the bed for four days touching himself trying to figure out where his head was from his feet.

“Christmas Day we got our first smile out of him. It was very, very special.”

Eight-year-old Harrison Grey with his mother Paula Apostoles. Picture: Emma Brasier

At the start of the year, Harrison was flown to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide for further treatment.

Now, Harrison can finally return home to his old life – something the eight-year-old is over the moon about.

“I slowly feel like I want to play,” Harrison said.

Ms Apostoles said she knew the road ahead would be a long and difficult one for Harrison but praised her son’s progress.

“He took his first steps probably four weeks in and now look,” she said.

“He’s running, he’s playing.”

But life won’t look exactly the same for Harrison, who left Adelaide on Friday.

He can only walk for short period of time before he fatigues and needs to wear noise-cancelling headphones.

At home, Harrison will need to use a shower chair until he can regain the strength in his legs needed to stand without support.

“He can’t do long distance walking and he gets sore legs,” Ms Apostoles said.

She said it was unclear how long it would be before Harrison could return to school

But despite Harrison’s challenges, he is excited to join his friends back at school.

Ms Apostoles praised WCH staff who this week will celebrate Brain Awareness Week, an initiative aimed at educating the public about brain diseases, disorders and injuries.

“I give it to this hospital,” Ms Apostoles said.

Eight-year-old Harrison Grey’s mother Paula Apostoles says her son is running and playing again. Picture: Emma Brasier

“I’ve learnt so much.”

Paediatric Rehabilitation Department head of research Associate Professor Ray Russo said evidence showed empowering family in the rehabilitation process led to better cognitive and physical recovery from brain injuries.

“The program includes a large number of highly trained medical and allied health professionals, but the key players in his recovery were Harrison himself, and his family,” he said.

“They needed to understand the rehabilitation process and worked hard through the daily routines.

“Although Harrison still has cognitive and some physical challenges, he is now independently mobile, can communicate his ideas very well, and is becoming independent in his activities.

“He is a wonderful boy who is overcoming the effects of a tragic accident, and with the ongoing support of his family and team, he will continue to improve.”

Originally published as Harrison Grey, 8, returns home after months of treatment at the WCH