“He is monitored closely when this is happening. He wanted to know when he can talk. Dr told us all when he’s off the respirator completely 72 hours later he can start to retrain his muscles to talk.
“He said he was sorry we had to be in Panama. We asked if he wants music to listen too he said no and Dr said he needs to sleep. We are feeling so happy and positive. Also so much more movement in his left arm, shoulders, head and neck,” she said.
His father Bob Syron, who lives in Whangārei, said there was movement in Marcel’s fingers in both hands but he could move only his left arm.
“My daughters are massaging him like mad but the recovery process is slow and I’d imagine he’ll be there for a few more months. He still can’t talk but is responding to questions through facial expression.”
On the fundraiser, he said his family was unable to raise the required amount, they’d be able to sell one of Marcel Syron’s houses in Whangārei, and hopefully sell his yacht which had been hauled out from Colon where it was anchored, on to a hard stand.
“I don’t think he’ll be in any capacity to sail his yacht any further,” he said.
Syron joined other yachties ashore and left his yacht on anchor. He hit his head on the buttress of the stairs of a swimming pool, broke his back, and damaged his spinal column.
The youngest of five children, he owns the tiny house company Love Shack, which he set up in Whangārei in 2015 to do his bit for the tiny house movement in New Zealand after seeing the trend take off in Europe.
The small, transportable dwellings are custom-built and provide an alternative to unsustainable and unaffordable housing.
A builder for 27 years, Syron is passionate about the environment - another reason he took up tiny house building. He took a sabbatical to sail around the world between 2022 and 2024.
To donate, go to givealittle.co.nz/cause/marcel-syron-medical-and-travel-home-fund
