Taniela “thankful for life” after month-long coma [1]
Friday, October 11, 2013 - 21:15. Updated on Friday, October 11, 2013 - 21:20.
Thankful for life, Taniela Halahuni with his nephew, at Ha‘atafu. 11 October 2013.
By Linny Folau
After lying critically ill in a month-long coma, Taniela Halahuni’s remarkable recovery has convinced his family and doctors that he is a living miracle.
Taniela’s family feared he might die, but prayed for his recovery, while the gravely-injured 22-year-old lay in a coma in Vaiola Hospital with the severe head injuries he suffered after being attacked by Tupou College students at a Tofoa home in July.
Today the Tonga College ex-student spoke to Matangi Tonga at his home in Ha‘atafu and gave nothing but praise and thanks to God for his life. The only visible proof that he was hospitalised was an incision on his neck, which he said was healing well.
Taniela said he had no recollection of his coma and was told by his family that he was comatose for around a month.
“I was discharged from Vaiola Hospital about five-weeks ago and was told by the doctor that I have recovered and to return home and take it easy,” said a smiling Taniela.
He saw Dr Viliami Tangi again two-weeks after he was discharged from the hospital. “I went to see him for my clinic appointment and he told me that he thought if I was to live it was a miracle from God - and that is exactly what happened.”
Taniela said he is feeling well and back to his normal self. “I am talking and walking around and I often come to town at times.
“When I woke up from the coma I didn’t know what happened but I still recognised my family. I slowly started to speak and was assisted to walk by a palangi physio and when I finally walked I was discharged from the hospital,” he said.
Ventilator
His aunt Hina Tu‘akalau testified to the remarkable recovery.
She said they had thought Taniela was not going to live because of how serious his head injuries were and that he was in a coma and on the ventilator.
“We didn’t give up hope we prayed that he would make it and when he did wake up we were happy beyond words.”
Hina said Taniela at first could not speak when he came out of the coma. He started writing what he wanted on paper and then he was helped by a physiotherapist to walk again.
“It’s just a miracle,” she said.
“We took him to his appointment at the clinic the other day and when his name was called out the people there were surprised and asked whether he was alive. I said yes and they were shocked since they knew he was in a critical condition from the news,” she said.
Taniela who lives with his mother and other members of his immediate family was also thankful to the medical team for supporting him. He said at present he is just taking care of his health according to the doctors orders.
“I am just thankful to God that I have my life back,” he said.
Courts
The violent attack took place at a home in Tofoa on the night of July 18, 2013.
A total of 151 accused have been charged in relation to the attack, including 147 Tupou College students and four adults. They are scheduled to appear at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court on November 18-21.