Joe Shaw determined to talk again after attack near Rokka Bar in Ramsgate left him in wheelchair
11:23, 25 March 2019
updated: 13:20, 25 March 2019
An assault victim left with life-changing injuries is determined to talk again after being hospitalised for more than a year.
Joe Shaw, then 24, had returned to Ramsgate from Australia to visit his family when he was set upon by 24-year-old Liam Bayliss on a night out on Saturday, March 17 last year.
The attack left Mr Shaw, who was a self-employed plasterer, in a coma and has had catastrophic effects on his life as he is unable to complete basic tasks alone and is confined to a wheelchair.
Scroll down to hear from the carer helping Joe by running 100 miles in a month
A fundraising campaign has now been launched in a bid to get Mr Shaw, now 25, home as the severity of his injuries has meant he has been hospitalised since the assault.
His mum, Nancy, says their home will need adapting with equipment such as a wet room and a motorised wheelchair to accommodate Mr Shaw.
"The financial impact has been immense," Mrs Shaw said. "Both Joe and ourselves are self-employed which has meant one of us has had to give up work to be by Joe's side.
"Anyone within the disability word will tell you how daunting and frightfully expensive it is.
"You have to fight for everything and frequently you don't get what is needed and end up paying ridiculous prices for things yourself.
"One of Joe's therapies cost £400 for six sessions and sadly this money has run out, so now we need to look at how we are going to fund this."
Now, teaching assistant and support carer Vicki Holden has set herself a challenge to run 100 miles to raise money for Mr Shaw.
Miss Holden, from Broadstairs, met Mr Shaw when working with him at a rehabilitation centre.
The 32-year-old said: "The first time I worked with Joe I introduced myself and he replied 'how are you' with the biggest smile on his face and then raised a hand for me to shake.
"It was at that point I thought he is very nice and polite, and I wanted to know more about him and the journey he has been on in the last year.
"While assisting Joe with his breakfast, he chose to tell me what happened the evening of the attack and how much he is determined to get back to leading a normal life."
Upon hearing of his plight, Miss Holden decided she wanted to help.
"I would help anyone out if I could," she added. "But it was the positivity, determination and inner strength of Joe that spurred me on to wanting to help him as much as possible as well as his mum Nancy, who is just amazing."
Miss Holden has set up a JustGiving page and is set to run 100 miles in a three week time frame.
She said: "Joe has asked to be there for when I finish the last part of my run, so I will be mapping my last part to end where Joe is staying so that he can come out in his wheelchair and watch me."
It is hoped £5,000 will be raised, with Miss Holden also organising a fundraising drive in Birchington in May.
Mr Shaw, who is due to have an operation in April to reform his skull, communicates by spelling words out on a letter board with his finger.
He said: "I would like to start blogging about the journey I have been on so far and continue to go on.
"I will have full control of what is being written on my blogs but my mum will be the writer for me.
"Me and my mum are very close, without her I would not be here today. Thank you mum.
"When I am better I would like to travel to America and visit my aunty who lives there.
"Also, Vicki loves music so I would like to go to a concert with her and have a few drinks, but recovering is my main focus for now."
Mr Shaw's attacker, Liam Bayliss, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his premeditated search for a fight.
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https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/v-holden100-mile-run-for-joe
