Today at around 10am six months ago Pádraig was hit by a van when cycling on Route 6A on Cape Cod he has been in a coma since I was in Sanya on Hainan Island in the south of China when I received a call from Pat about three hours after the accident just before 1am local time someone had put it up on Facebook and we had thought it might have been one of those scams only that this time it was not I booked a flight packed my bags checked out of the hotel went to the airport had a phone call with a very good friend who was attending the same event I was leaving and travelled for the next 20 hours to Cape Cod Hospital it was the loneliest saddest trip of my life switching between a sense of reality and fiction what kept me going was the knowledge that we would all be together.
Today six months later we still are and always will be.
Hospi-Tales 
Reinhard, I’ve been following your soulful, wise, articulate (and gut-wrenching) blog. Thank you for letting us share your thoughts and experiences, so we know what’s happening and can feel close to you without invasive questions.
As I celebrate my 6-month anniversary of my wedding this weekend — the day my life changed so much for the better… I’m acutely aware of how much that day changed you and your family’s situation for the worse. Your reaction to the situation has been very inspirational. Your posts convey the loving devotion, sacrifice and the strength of your love as a father and a family. As someone who’s just begun the road of sharing life together, you emulate the ideal. You, the loving, giving father working so hard and hanging on so dearly to hope and fighting for your son, and your whole family’s loving closeness, shared sacrifice, strength, and optimism is so inspiring!
Padraig has something special in the healing process that doctors can’t give him — the strength of a tight knit family with intense love, courage and hope.
I hope 2014 brings Padraig, you, and the rest of your family happy news, healing, progress and celebrations. My thoughts are with you all.
[I know it’s useless, but I feel awful that it was so close to where I live that Padraig’s accident happened. I wish the driver didn’t get off so easily. I wish we’d been home to help in some way. I’m still incredulous that they never medivac’ed him to a Boston trauma center… ?!]
Diane, my togetherness went right out off the window when I read your comment… I’m crying.
I wish you (‘ye’) a life full of love and friendship, and I am so happy for ye about the companionship you found for each other.
What happened to Pádraig that day was the most horrible thing I can think of. But – I can still not believe the energy, the strength, the conviction, the support, help, and love this event generated from so, so many people – many of whom I had never met before. Without them, none of what we are doing would have been even remotely possible.
There will be a time to look at what the driver did, how the police dealt with the accident, the reactions from the insurance company, the press reports and all those other things that left me gobsmacked (and I think I can speak for Pat no this one too).
Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts!
Hello, Reinhard. I have been thinking about you very specially this morning (28th) and yesterday.
With best wishes, Louise.
Thank you, Louise. For a time, today and yesterday, the day turned into a daze.
I felt as much, Reinhard. You are having to find such strength at the moment – more than you could ever have imagined you would need in a lifetime. With best wishes, Louise.
Couldn’t do it without you and all our friends, Louise.
Well, Reinhard, as I said before though in different words, you’re stuck with us for as long as we’re needed. All the very best, Louise.
I don’t want to scare you, Louise, but I think no matter what, that will be for a long time:)
Yes, you still are and always will be, many many kisses!!!!
Amen to togetherness round Padraig.
Om.