| News and media | |||||||||
Parents acknowledge Waikato contribution to Meg's recovery
In the middle of the road, in front of their house, they were met with the other students and the wreckage. We later discovered that Kevin is a retired ambulance driver who was able to assess the scene so that when the group of first responders arrived, time prioritising the care was saved. With the help of these wonderful people, Meg was flown to Waikato Hospital in Hamilton. Todd and I had already been in contact with the hospital staff and when we arrived there, we were greeted by an amazing team. As overwhelming as it was to see Meg in the condition that she was in, it was such a relief to see her, to hold her, and know that she was still with us. Before our departure from Boston, we had emailed a picture of our family to the hospital and they had printed it out and taped it to the window next to Meg's bed. Arriving in another country, we were unsure of what to expect and we cannot begin to tell you how impressed we were and how grateful we are that Meg was able to get the quality of care that you provided. In the month that we were in New Zealand, so many people reached out to us to offer dinners, comfort, even a day away - it seems your Fieldays are known worldwide - we left the day that they were being set up to open. (Perhaps next time!) We have since learned that this generosity is just part of your nature - a kinder culture we cannot have imagined. We send our thanks to you and hope to be back with Meg and our son, Ben, in the future! Love and appreciation, TODD, DEB, MEG AND BEN THERIAULT Boston, US After crash abroad, a student strives to recoverMeg Theriault, the American student involved in a fatal car accident near Turangi last year, is continuing to progress back home in Boston. According to her mother Deb she is very much enjoying her freedom – living in a University apartment which is close to the campus during the week. She is working diligently on her studies for the accounting class that she is auditing. In a message to staff at Waikato Hospital Deb said: "If we could have had the ability to add to the list of people to thank - you all would be at the very top of the list. I wanted to let you know that we continue to be so thankful for all of the amazing care that Meg got at Waikato. We know how critical that initial care was. It played a huge part in getting Meg to where she is today." An Associated Press reporter has been following Meg's progress since July. Read the story and view the pictures. Another version. 9 March 2013 Meg Theriault and parents leave New Zealand
“We’re just overwhelmed by the appreciation and the kindness of all the people. Thank you. We’re on our way home, we will be back, we will be back – to show our appreciation again. Meg has a lot of people she needs to thank.” Deb said her daughter would return to New Zealand once she finished her studies at Boston University. “She will thank everyone in person and she will do that Tongariro Crossing. She’s a determined girl and as a family we’ll be here to support her,” she said. Their statement follows: “Because of all of the care, love and prayers Meg has received since the accident on May 12, she is now on her way home with us to Boston. It was four weeks ago that we received the news that our daughter and her friends had been in a tragic car accident. The lives of all of the families of this wonderful group of young students were turned upside down and we continue to support each other as we move forward. “It has been a much different journey than what these adventurous students had originally planned. Our experiences have taught us to look at the world through very different eyes. "We just cannot find the words to thank the staff at Waikato Hospital and the wonderful Kiwis that have made us feel so welcome here. "There are too many special individuals to name. As we land in Boston, we will be back with Meg’s extended family and so many of her friends that have sent their love and prayers to her from the other side of the world. "The journey will continue there, but we know in our hearts that Meg will work to heal and return to finish her studies at Boston University. "Our entire family wants to express their appreciation to everyone on both sides of the world that have helped to bring Meg home.”
High res picture available from Mary Anne Gill.
|
