Ayla at 11 weeks with her mother, Alana Madill. Photo / Facebook
Ayla at 11 weeks with her mother, Alana Madill. Photo / Facebook
The baby daughter of Jerry Collins and Alana Madill is now safely in Canada with her grandparents, Ruth and Darrell Madill.
A media statement released today by the former All Blacks' agent Tim Castle, says Ayla, now nearly 4 months old, will likely have ongoing disabilities as a result ofthe car crash that killed both her parents in France last month.
Ayla is now in the care of her grandparents. Photo / Supplied
"Current medical opinion is that, sadly, little Ayla will likely suffer ongoing disabilities, the full extent of which cannot yet be known. Ayla will need intense ongoing care.
"As might be expected, little Ayla continues to demonstrate her fighting qualities and strength - reminiscent of both her mother and father."
Ayla was transferred directly from Montpellier Hospital in France to Winnipeg Children's Hospital in Canada on July 6.
She was then discharged in to her maternal grandparents' care four days later. The statement said the family of Jerry Collins will visit Ayla there shortly.
"Alana's sisters, Brenna and Nora and brother, Lance, are also close at hand.
"Ayla continues to make encouraging progress as assessed through comprehensive medical tests undertaken upon her arrival to hospital in Canada; and many follow-up appointments are arranged for her over the coming weeks and months to monitor her future health status."
Loving father: Jerry Collins with his daughter. Photo / Supplied
It said the families are "so deeply grateful" for all the prayers and messages of continuing support for Ayla and for the other continuing acts of kindness and support from all around the world, "especially from so many generous people in New Zealand".
Collins and Madill died when their car was struck by a bus on a French motorway on June 5. Ayla, their only child, suffered life-threatening injuries and underwent a number of emergency surgeries.
