Randy McCloy Jr., the sole survivor of the Upshur County Sago Mine Disaster, was released from rehabilitation facility and returned home on Thursday, nearly three months after the accident.
I would just like to thank everybody for their thoughts and prayers,”McCloy said during a press conference before heading home with his family.
At the press conference, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III presented McCloy and members of his family, as well as his physicians, with aMiracle Roadsign, symbolizing the renaming of the road to their home in Simpson.
Randys survivial and recovery has been an inspiration to all of us. For the three months of intensive medical therapy, Randy has been unbelievable in how he has come through this ordeal. Today Im happy to say that that the time has finally come for Randy to come home.
Manchin praised McCloys wife, Anna, for her unwavering devotion to her husband throughout his recovery, as well as members of McCloys medical team.
It seems only fitting that today is National Doctors Day, a time for people to show appreciation to the doctors who care for them and all of their loved ones. In West Virginia we are so blessed to have a team of doctors all around this great state, but most importantly those who have been part of this miracle,Manchin said.
McCloy was transferred to WVU Hospitals from St. Joseph Hospital in Buckhannon in the early morning hours of Jan. 4, two days after the explosion at Sago Mine that killed 12 other miners. During his 21-day stay at WVU Hospitals, McCloy received medical care from a team of WVU physicians including Larry Roberts, M.D., director of the WVU Hospitals John Michael Moore Trauma Center; neurosurgeon Julian Bailes, M.D., and rehabilitation specialist Russell Biundo, M.D., who oversaw McCloys care at HealthSouth.
McCloys physicians, as well as members of the HealthSouth rehabilitation staff were at the press conference to celebrate his homecoming.
I think Randy is a fantastic success story. He exceeded my expectations in his recovery,Roberts said. Roberts also praised the entire staff at WVU Hospitals in contributing to McCloys recovery.
Bailes echoed his colleagues statements.In terms of his neurological prognosis, I think its excellent. I think he’s a got a great potential for a complete, possibly complete, recovery.
Biundo described McCloys medical rehabilitation at HealthSouth, and what his future therapy as an outpatient will entail.
Randy is going to keep working. Hes not normal, and hell tell you that. His vision is not there, he is weak on one sideyou can see it when he walks. And he doesnt walk very wellhes a little unstable. Hes still tremendous. Still amazing. Its a transformation that Ive never seen before and I do this every day. Hes going to need therapy, a lot of work on speech, language, memory and thinking.
Video of Thursdays press conference can be viewed at www.health.wvu.edu .