Best Christmas present of all...the gift of life (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Best Christmas present of all...the gift of life

9:06am Wednesday 3rd December 2008 in Chard By Richard Purdon

CHARD man David Biggs feared he would not see this Christmas after he fell seriously ill earlier in the year but he has amazed everyone as he continues to make great strides along the road to recovery.

Now Eric and Helen Morfitt of Holly Terrace have spoken to the News about the amazing support for their daughter’s boyfriend who was left fighting for his life after a bad anaphylactic shock.

Eric said: “He continues to improve and he is coming on in leaps and bounds.

“He is an extremely tough young man.”

It was in March that David, 26, had an allergic reaction to some food and went into shock.

He stopped breathing in the ambulance on the way to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and after he was resuscitated he was rushed to intensive care.

Initially doctors were uncertain how long David would survive and even discussed with the family the possibility of him being an organ donor.

But following 25 days in the neurological rehabilitation unit and months of learning how do everything again, including how to swallow, David is now talking and has been told he can legally make his own decisions.

David has moved out of hospital and into Wey House nursing home in Norton Fitzwarren where he is continuing to make steady progress … under the watchful eye of girlfriend Lisa.

“We fully expect him to be a resident there for some time to come though,” said Lisa. “The atmosphere at Wey House is such a happy and welcoming one that we all think he will thrive there.

“I cannot wait to get a little bit of normality back in my life. Normal for me is being with David so I'm thrilled.”

David has a long way to go to full recovery, which will require specialist wheelchairs and medical equipment, but is being well supported by Windwhistle Golf Club and Boots.

Staff at the club held a fundraising evening and raffle in November, raising over £300 for David's Fund.

Meanwhile, in Taunton, his colleagues at Boots stripped off for a nude calendar, available from Boots in Taunton or on 01460-238475.