Mother says ‘Scott is still there and desperate to come back to us

On the Get Well Scott Facebook page, Helen-Louise posted on Friday the frustrations and desperations she faces as she spends each day by his bedside.

Scott Vineer, 17, was repeatedly beaten around the head during an attack at a disused furniture showroom near the Lagan Towpath.

The teenager went missing on 6 September and was found unconscious a day later.

“He sits in his chair for a short time each day and now squeezes our hand and smiles,” she posted. “When we have to leave he tries to cry which breaks our hearts.

“Today (Friday) he poked his tongue out at us when we asked him to. That is the first time. The valve on his tracheostomy has been downsized.

“Hopefully the tracheo can be removed soon if he continues to improve. He seems to be aware of things around him but he is also very frustrated that he is unable to speak or control his arms and legs very well although there are small improvements. Our boy is still there and desperate to come back to us.”

She continued, “We desperately want Scott to be back in the papers and on the television but the police have asked us to wait until they have forensic results back. It is very frustrating to us but as soon as we can we will have Scott’s story everywhere. We are with Scott every day and have been for eight weeks.

“We wish we could be there every minute of the day and night but we are not allowed to due to visiting hours. But Paul and I will be by Scott’s side every step of the day every day to come. We miss and love him so much. Until we can bring him home with us where he belongs. Our hearts will continue to break. But we are so amazed by his progress so far and pray he will continue to improve.”

Then on Tuesday she posted that Scott had his tracheostomy removed.

“He has been at level nine on the same scale for some time now but on Sunday and yesterday they assessed him at level 10,” she posted.

“But today he was assessed at level 11. How fantastic, Paul and I are so pleased. He has a long way to go yet but he is slowly going in the right direction.

“We even wheeled him in his chair along the ward corridor to give him a change of scenery. It was so great. He can smile, squeeze our hand stick his tongue out and raise his legs up. It is amazing. His left arm is very weak and he can’t move it as well as his right and he still starts to cry when he gets agitated and when we have to leave but it is such good news. He hasn’t said anything yet. That will take time and he will get support from speech therapists to help him.”