The child who shouldn't be alive: Boy, 8, whose skull was smashed and lung collapsed after being dragged 300m by a horse makes miracle recovery
- Joey Donald, eight, suffered horrific injuries while riding a neighbours horse
- He suffered injuries to his brain, liver, lungs, multiple skill fractures and more
- The boy has regained the ability walk, speak and even attend school again
An eight-year-old boy who suffered a fractured skull after being dragged for 300 metres by a horse has defied the odds to survive and is on the slow road to recovery.
Joey Donald was riding a horse on a neighbour's farm in Yungaburra, Queensland, when he fell off with his foot still in the stirrup last year.
The young boy suffered a brain injury, multiple skull fractures, third-degree abrasions on his back, a torn liver and collapsed lung along with a broken nose and elbow.
Doctors at Townsville Hospital told his parents he had just a 10 per cent chance of breathing unassisted again.
After two months in intensive care, Joey was moved to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he experienced radical improvements in condition.
Joey Donald, eight, almost died when he was dragged for 300m by a horse after falling
'When he was flown to Brisbane it was like a switch flicked inside of him,' his father told the Courier Mail.
'I don't know if it was because of the flight, but he woke up and said "Mum" and "Dad" for the first time since the accident and repeated words around him.
'It's small steps, but he has made a lot of progress, in just a couple of months for what's supposed to be a two-year journey.'
The family does not know how long their little boy will remain in hospital, but are amazed at how quickly he has begun recovering.
The eight-year-old, who is in a wheelchair, is regaining his movement with the help of hydrotherapy, a speech pathologist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
Joey was originally given a 10 per cent chance of breathing on his own, but is now attending class
'He’s moved onto a no restrictions diet and is feeding himself pieces he can pick up and put in his mouth, a bit too early for utensils yet,' his mother Sarah Mohammad said.
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'His conversation has come a head in leaps and bounds and is answering most questions correctly,' she said.
Although the journey has been a challenging one, he has had some positive moments.
Earlier this year he was visited by North Queensland Cowboy stars Ray Thompson and Antonio Winterstein who brought treats and smiles for the little boy.
North Queensland Cowboys Boys Ray Thompson (left) and Antonio Winterstein (centre) paid the boy a visit
The kind-hearted boy previously raised thousands of dollars for farmers impacted by drought
Joey has even started attending school again for an hour a day, socialising with friends and joining in on classes.
'Joey received an award on parade this week and it took everything I had to not burst into tears,' Ms Mohammad said.
'To think 4 1/2 months ago we were told there was a 90% chance that he would never breathe on his own again to looking at this amazing little man before me receiving an award on parade,' Ms Mohammad wrote in an update two weeks ago,' she said.
'Joey’s courage and willpower combined with the determination of the QCH Rehab team are achieving amazing progress.'
The kind-hearted boy previously raised thousands of dollars for farmers impacted by drought and the family have said they have received considerable support from the Tablelands community.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help ease the impact on Joey and his family, successfully raising over $52,000.
Recently Joey has started moving his arms and legs more effectively and is making headway towards walking again
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