A young Northland rugby player remains in a coma but has taken a significant step in his recovery.
Darryl Sabin, 18, was playing for his club side, Te Hapua, on Anzac Day when he was tackled and knocked unconscious.
He was flown to Auckland Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and has
remained in a coma since.
But, on Monday, the farm worker was taken from the high dependency ward at Auckland to a rehabilitation clinic.
His father, businessman Mike Sabin, said the unit was a specialist rehabilitation facility that dealt with traumatic brain injury patients.
"Darryl is in the most intensive needs unit and there is a huge team of specialists that will begin work with him and, hopefully, ease him back to consciousness," Mr Sabin said on a website detailing his son's progress.
On the way from the hospital to the centre, Darryl was able to give the thumbs up when asked if he knew he was on the move in an ambulance - giving his parents hope he will recover.
However, they realise it will be a long road.
"The fear of what is to come, the unknowns and the question hanging over all of us about his state of consciousness is a constant leveller and cruel in its ever-present nature," Mr Sabin said. "I battle myself with this all the time and I have come to accept that fear is a natural if not uneasy companion for all on this journey, not least for Darryl who I know in my heart is aware of the plight he's in."
You can leave a message of encouragement for Darryl at www.getwelldarryl.com
