UCD STUDENT Natasha McShane, who suffered serious head injuries in an attack by a mugger wielding a baseball bat in Chicago last month, is out of a coma, her parents have said.
The 23-year-old postgraduate student, who has been studying at the University of Illinois in Chicago, was with a friend, Stacy Jurich (24), when they were attacked in the Bucktown area of the city.
Liam and Sheila McShane said at the weekend that doctors had relieved pressure on their daughter’s brain. They confirmed that she has also been weaned off coma-inducing medications.
“She is awake, but still only demonstrating limited brain activity,” they said in a statement through Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she remains in a serious condition.
Although her movements are “uncontrolled” at the moment, the family said they were hopeful of additional encouraging signs.
The family said it had received many offers to help with her medical expenses, and had set up a Natasha McShane Care Account at the North Bank in Chicago. A website, helpnatasha.net, has also been set up to help raise money
Heriberto Viramontes (30) and Marcy Cruz (25) are charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery in relation to the incident.