Jake Ferrier shakes his head for no and smiles for yes.
He understands 90% of what his family is saying to him.
Just five months ago, the new dad was “doing what he loved most”, playing in line hockey for the Warriors in the Super League and teaching kids how to skate at Digi Skating Rink on the weekends.
But in May, the 25-year-old was involved crashed at the rink while racing with friends on his night off.
He’s been left with life-altering injuries.
Jake’s crash was so severe he was immediately taken to hospital for emergency brain surgery, and his family were not sure whether he’d survive.
“At the very beginning, they were pretty much telling us to be prepared to say goodbye,” mother Rebecca Ferrier said.
“We never gave up on him and have been there every day for the last nearly five months.
“There were a couple of off-duty paramedics, and an off-duty nurse that were skating, so we were pretty lucky that they were there on site to be the first call.
“He has now started progressing– he can communicate with us, so he shakes his head for no and smiles for yes, he understands pretty much 90% of what we’re saying.”
Jake, who is a father of seven-month-old baby Oliver, is now in rehab but will remain in hospital possibly until the new year.
When the Logan community learned of Jake’s story, they quickly rallied behind the family for support.
A GoFundMe page was set up in May by Digi Roller Skating.
Over $18,000 has since been raised, which the family has put aside to help pay for Jake’s post-hospital recovery.
Members of the Facebook Community Group 4118 Neighbourhood also stepped in to help.
Founder of the page Claudia Escobar said when she heard what had happened to Jake, she wanted to assist in any way she could.
“The 4118 Neighbourhood page is for the local community to stay connected and help each other out and pretty much every time there is someone in need like the Ferrier family, the community is always happy to help as much as we can,” Ms Escobar said.
“We organised a food train for two or three weeks, just in order to help Jake’s mum and dad be able to visit their son in hospital, and at the same time be able to provide food for them.”
Ms Escobar said she encourages the community to continue to donate to the family, even if all they have to give are spare cans or bottles.
“The donation of cans and bottles is ongoing. With the help of the Browns Plains recycling facility we were able to create an account for Mick, the Dad, and people can go and donate their cans directly and the money all goes to the Ferriers.
While Jake’s journey is ongoing, the Ferriers are still holding out hope their son will soon be able to walk and talk again.
“As he recovers, we believe he will walk and talk again. But it’s going to take a couple years.
“He still has a long recovery and journey ahead but we’re prepared to be with him the whole way.”
