IAFF Local 282 member Donald Herbert dies at 44

[TomC]

Brain-injured fireman breaks 10-year silence

INCREDIBLE....
http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/05/03/firefighter.speaks.ap/index.html

[colin911]

Absolutely fantastic ...

[wilderness]

God still finds time to grant miricles.....
god bless this brother....

[bestcoast]

Absolutely fantastic ...
2nd that one colin911.....BC...

[firewhirly]

WOW.. that awesome! His family must be ecstatic.

[five_alarm]

INTERNATIONAL - BUFFALO, NY - Silent throughout the nearly 10 years since his brain was damaged during a roof collapse, a former firefighter has shocked relatives and caregivers with some surprise words.

Donald Herbert went into a coma more than nine years ago, when falling debris left him pinned without air for several minutes. Although he emerged from the coma 10 weeks later, he remained been unable to see, recognize voices or communicate in a meaningful way.

But on Saturday, sitting in a wheelchair in his suburban Buffalo, New York nursing home, Herbert suddenly spoke out. "I want to talk to my wife," Herbert said, to the surprise of staff at the nursing home where he has lived for the past seven years.

Source: ctv.ca (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1115133868434_110543068/?hub=TopStories)

[Firefighter1680]

WOW that incredible...

[LtBlondie]

Let's all pray that he can now enjoy the life he has left..Someone was watching over him...great for his family...

[smoke286]

Great news! :)

[Ladymedic]

"I want to talk to my wife," Herbert said, to the surprise of staff at the nursing home where he has lived for the past seven years.

Source: ctv.ca (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1115133868434_110543068/?hub=TopStories)

He's probably been talking all along, but with staff always just starting their shift and never knowing what went on during the earlier shift, no one ever noticed!!


All kidding aside, awesome news and probably a medical miracle.

[HOSE_HOUND]

Miracles do happen and this is a fine example. I understand his wife never gave up hope. All my best to this brother in arms and his family. This story is a fine example of hope, dedication, and humanity at it's best. Though I know that it is probably like comparing apples to oranges as far as their circumstances are concerned, it should be a lesson to those who gave up so soon on Terri Schiavo.

[Pugfire]

Amazing story, let's hope that the recovery continues. Best wishes brother.

[BillyBlazes]

A Buffalo, N.Y. firefighter died as a result of injuries suffered from a fire 10 years ago. Funeral is scheduled for Saturday. Info is on firehouse.com website

[five_alarm]

INTERNATIONAL - BUFFALO, NY - A brain-injured firefighter who suddenly spoke after nearly a decade in a stupor, giving hope to families of countless other patients, died Tuesday. He was 44.

Donald Herbert was injured in December 1995, when the roof of a burning home collapsed on him. Deprived of oxygen for several minutes, he ended up blind, was largely mute and showed little awareness of his surroundings for years.

But on April 30, 2005, he shocked his family with a 14-hour talking jag. Since then, he spoke only sporadically, his progress hampered by a fall out of bed that caused bleeding on his brain, his doctor said.

Source: newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--firefighter-coma0221feb21,0,3562054.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork)

[hrecruit]

man thats sad.

[bestcoast]

Very Sad ending for sure.

IAFF link. http://www.iaff.org/across/content/Spotlight/06Stories/022106don.htm

.BC........

[Dave404]

He definetly put up a brave battle. RIP brother!

[wilderness]

OMG, Thats so sad, an unfitting ending for sure... god bless

[scoop422]

God Bless.

[FFWannabe]

Oh my goodness, that poor family. What a fighter. I was so saddened to read that he felt he wasn't there for his children... that poor man. Forgive me for sounding corny, but it's as if he came back to say goodbye. What a shame he couldn't have recovered further. My heart goes out to his family.

[smoke286]

That must have been really hard for his family