The wife of Liverpool fan Sean Cox has praised Roma for ‘really stepping up to the plate’ with their generous donation towards the costs of his treatment.
Cox was struck on the head before Liverpool’s Champions League’s semi-final first leg against Roma in April and only regained consciousness over the summer after three months in a coma.
The Giallorossi have since pledged €150,000 to help the 53-year-old with his medical and rehabilitation costs, and Martina spoke of her appreciaton for the gesture.
The wife of Liverpool fan Sean Cox has praised Roma for ‘really stepping up to the plate’ with their generous donation towards the costs of his treatment.
Cox was struck on the head before Liverpool’s Champions League’s semi-final first leg against Roma in April and only regained consciousness over the summer after three months in a coma.
The Giallorossi have since pledged €150,000 to help the 53-year-old with his medical and rehabilitation costs, and Martina spoke of her appreciaton for the gesture.
“He’s been supporting Liverpool all his life,” she told BBC Sport.
“Sean regularly went to matches with either his brother or family, it was a very natural thing for him to do.
“It was a really familiar place for him. He would have felt quite safe there as well. I got a phone call from my sister-in-law and she said Sean had a hit to the head and he was on his way to the Aintree Hospital.
“I got a call from a nurse and she explained that Sean had had a bleed on the brain and severe bruising and needed emergency surgery.
“I was just in absolute shock, I didn’t really take it in and I didn’t look on social media. It was horrific looking at him, absolutely horrific. Your husband, just lying there lifeless. Awful really.
“He was fully sedated for two weeks immediately after the attack, then it took nearly another four weeks for him to actually come around.
“It wasn’t actually until we got to Beaumont that he had opened his eyes, but he wasn’t fully conscious as such
“Sean’s started to drink as well but it’s all very slow and measured because they’re all very small, tiny little steps but it’s good progress.
“There are more words coming since he started to eat – that does help – but it’s a very long, slow process and long journey for Sean.
“They say you don’t get back the same person and we know that. It is difficult, there are good days and bad days, but it’s all about trying to get Sean to the best place and that’s where I’m at.
“I miss Sean, our children miss their dad. We’re trying to muddle through it and do the best we can. Sean would want us to get on with our lives and we’re trying as best we can.
“I have two kids in college and my youngest daughter is doing her leaving certificate this year so we have to get on with certain things, but it’s difficult.
“Absolutely, yes [on her children continuing to attend Liverpool games]. What happened shouldn’t have happened in the first place but people have to live their lives.
“The fans have been absolutely amazing and the club has promised to support Sean.
“Roma don’t have any connection to Sean but they really have stepped up to the plate in terms of what they have given for the donation and they have also agreed to work with us in terms of fundraising activities going forward.
“You would hope [Liverpool will help us with treatment costs], yes… let’s just wait and see, that’s all I can say at this point.
“There was a bucket collection at the Cardiff match and half the funds raised were matched by the Liverpool Foundation so that was about £29,000 which is really good and we’re very grateful for that.
“Liverpool have also agreed to help with some fundraising in terms of community activity going forward so that’s where we’re at.
“Obviously we want the best for Sean because I think he deserves it, this shouldn’t have happened and we’ve done everything we can in terms of fundraising.
“People just have rallied around, they’ve done so much, it’s been heart-warming. He’s very determined in everything that he does.
“Obviously the goal is to get him home, that’s what we all want, all his family want, and he belongs here with us.”