Editorial: Family will overcome tragedy

Andrew Austin believes a families love, strength and support will get them through a painful tragedy. Photo/Thinkstock.

Many years ago I worked with a woman who, even in those days, seemed to have it all.

She was intelligent, attractive, educated and had a very good job. She had also recently married and was in love with her new husband.

During the next 15 years, this lady started her own business, had two boys and remained happily married. She travelled frequently with her family and by all accounts lived a wonderful life.

That was until this year. She woke up early one morning to a telephone call telling her that her husband, who had left early for work, had been involved in a nasty car crash and was in hospital.

She rushed there fearing the worst. Miraculously he survived, but he was not the kind, gentle, caring man she loved.

He did not even know she existed. He had suffered a major brain injury and in an instant his family's life was turned upside down.

What was amazing was the manner in which my former colleague responded to this crisis in her life.

She found a strength that she probably never even realised she had. She was determined to beat the problem and she worked tirelessly right from the beginning when her husband was in ICU.

It was a painful process because every time he made a small improvement, there would be a setback.

She took to Facebook and was able to clearly convey the highs and lows she was feeling. It became riveting reading as one kept hoping a miracle would happen.

Unfortunately, it never did. He died last week, leaving behind a devastated wife and two sad boys.

Nothing can take away this family's pain, but I know that the strength and support they have will get them through.