BERKELEY VICTIM CLODAGH Cogley is back in Dublin, settling into the next phase of her rehabilitation, and her family has today thanked everyone who has offered support to them and to the young woman since the balcony collapse in June.

In a post on a fundraising page for Cogley, they thanked those who have contributed in recent weeks.

“We are truly very humbled by your kindness.”

The 21 year old suffered a broken shoulder, two collapsed lungs, a broken knee, five broken ribs and a broken spinal cord. She has said the chances of her using her legs again are “bleak”.

Despite her injuries she has maintained an incredibly positive attitude, telling supporters that “life is short and I intend to honour those who died by living the happiest and most fulfilling life possible”.

Plans are now underway to adapt the family house so the student can be taken home. In the Facebook post today, her family said:

Clodagh made good progress in San Jose thanks to the kindness and expertise of all the staff there. We were even able to travel to the Golden Gate Bridge before we left so Clodagh could fulfil one of her objectives before leaving California (see pic with Dad).

So many people have offered us support and encouragement in so many ways that we will never be able to thank everyone individually but in the last two months we have certainly seen the very best of the human spirit on both sides of the ocean. Our friends and family are continuing to show great patience and restraint as we establish our new pattern of care and activity. We are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful community of friends, neighbours, colleagues, classmates and public and private representatives, who have all come forward to offer support and guidance, alongside so many other individuals and groups that we have never even met.

Hannah Waters, Niall Murray and Aoife Beary who also sustained serious injuries in the balcony collapse remain in California.

Read: Tag-rugby fundraiser raises over €16k for Berkeley survivor>
Read: Berkeley parents:J1 students are ‘genuine heroes who responded tenderly to the needs of our children’>

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