THE family of a Co Down hurling manager left fighting for his life following a fall say doctors have told them his improvement is the "closest thing to a miracle" they have seen.
Just over two weeks after the devastating accident, Johnny McGrattan from Portaferry is "breaking boundaries like never before".
His brother Peter told The Irish News that just days after the father-of-four was taken out of an induced coma, he is now sitting and "giving the thumbs up".
"To be told so many times that he might not make it or he may not have any level of brain activity and now to know that he's got some fighting chance is absolutely amazing," he said.
Mr McGrattan, manager of the Ballygalget senior hurling team, was moved from intensive care at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital to a high dependency unit on Monday.
Just a day later, he was transferred to a regular ward.
The 38-year-old, a former Down senior hurler, fell at home just hours after his team lost to Ballycran in the county's senior championship final on September 25.
Mr McGrattan's wife Louise and the entire family had appealed for Gaels across Ireland and abroad to pray for him as he fought for his life.
And last night Peter McGrattan said "we all firmly believe that Johnny wouldn't be here without all that support".
He said doctors told them "they can't believe the level of injuries he has come through".
His brother was brought slowly out of an induced coma last Wednesday and it was "all about getting him to the Friday to see how he would go".
"He was still unconscious until last Wednesday, they started to reduce his coma as they wanted to see how the pressure on the brain would cope," he said.
"They said it would be a long 48 hours. On Friday, he came round and we were told not to expect too much.
"But since then it's been one positive thing after another and now he's just on oxygen, not even all the time.
"He has set down a major marker, he's not dependent on anything now.
"He's even tried to scramble out of bed - you can see the characteristics of Johnny are coming out again."
Mr McGrattan said the family were certain their appeal for prayers, including from readers of the Irish News, had helped him on the road to recovery.
"To those people who lit candles, said prayers and took a minute out of their day, we say thank you so much.
"I've seen it first-hand and I know it willed him on. We really want everyone to know he seems to be breaking boundaries like never before."
But Mr McGrattan added they were "realistic that there's a hell of a long way to go".
"I've told Johnny it's like we are half way through a match, we're still in the game and we have another half to go and I've told him 'Johnny, you have to step up to the plate'.
"It has just been an emotional rollercoaster, which at one stage had no end in sight.
"But it's somewhere different we are now."
The family said there are many people they wanted to thank for their help in his brother's recovery.
"We can't thank everyone enough, to the doctors, nurses and all the staff in the ICU - they have been like angels," Mr McGrattan said.
"They have been our life and soul, they have kept the pressure on Johnny to get better.
"To Portaferry GAC, Ballycran GAC and most importantly Ballygalget GAC members, past and present, for all they have done for us.
"A thank you to everyone from the surrounding areas, of all denominations for their prayers and support.
"We thank all the Gaels in Ireland and around the world and ask them to still keep Johnny in their thoughts. We also ask for prayers for all Gaels who are suffering.
"Johnny's battle has reinforced how much of a hero he is to me.
"We are not out of the woods yet, but we can see the light through the the trees now."
