A 27 year-old woman who was left fighting for her life after an assault left her with a severe brain injury is to be moved into a care home in west Belfast - but will spend Christmas Day at home with her family.
Jolene Corr, a mother-of-one, was horrifically beaten in her home in Downpatrick, a year ago today.
The trained beautician sustained a broken jaw, as well as facial injuries, an ear injury and severe bruising.
A man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the alleged attack.
Jolene spent six months in the neurological unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast following the assault.
Doctors told her parents that it is unlikely she will ever recover from the catastrophic head injuries she suffered.
In June the young mother of one was transferred to Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast where she was treated in a specialist brain injury clinic.
Now Jolene, who turned 27 this week, is set to be moved into residential care at Our Lady's Home on the Falls Road in Belfast.
The care facility is just minutes from her family home in Beechmount.
The development came as her mother Carol and other family members gathered this week to mark Jolene's 27th birthday.
They said she "opened her eyes twice" as family gathered by her bedside at Musgrave Park with balloons, a birthday cake and gifts.
Relatives and friends then joined Jolene's family back in Beechmount where prayers were offered for the young woman.
They sang some of the 27-year-old's favourite songs together before releasing balloons to mark her birthday.
Carol Corr said family had organised the event "to make memories" on Jolene's behalf.
"If Jolene was at herself, she would have been all excited because she just loved life," she said.
"We wanted to make memories on her behalf and that's why we celebrated and gave her the best birthday ever.
"Being up at the hospital and just being there, it was emotional. God gave me strength to do it. Family, friends and the community coming together, it meant the world to me. Nobody will ever know what it means."
Ms Corr said that given her daughter's level of need she was relieved that they had found a place at Our Lady's, near the family home.
"She needs a lot of care," she said.
"She needs extra nurses because of her condition. Once she is there, that will be her home. We can go any time and visit her. We can be part of her care".
Ms Corr, who described the past 12 months as "an emotional rollercoaster" said she was looking forward to having Jolene at home for Christmas Day.
"I want to do it just for memories," she said.
"It could be our last. You never know. I want to take her home and let her be around us and family can come to the house and make memories."
Recalling the heartache of the past year she said: "We have had a heart-breaking, devastating, horrific time to go through. We have had to watch Jolene. She is there in body but that seems all. I feel like I'm grieving.
"When I go up and see her, I cry every day. There is nothing more they can do for her."
She added: "I'm a strong woman and I have faith and I know God and my loved ones are carrying me. I wouldn't be able to do this. What I am doing for Jolene now is making memories on behalf of her."
