Charlie Newman, injured last year in a horrific head-on collision Sept. 18 on Highway 18, is finally going home from hospital Friday.
His mom, Anne Newman, posted the good news on Facebook April 9, "Well folks I think this will be my last post about our son. First let me thank you all for your amazing support, we never would have made it this far without you.
"Now the big news. Charlie is going home this Friday!" It's been a long haul for the family as Anne and husband, Dick, have been steadily at Charlie's bedside, bolstered by the prayers and best wishes of their many friends.
Reports on Facebook have kept friends up to date through the long weeks of watching him slowly attempt to make his way back, then slowly beginning to get away from his hospital room and then the hospital entirely.
By March 14, Anne was able to post, "Our boy got to ride in Dad's truck. Well done son. That couldn't have been easy."
Now, it's onward and upward. "This will be the beginning of a new battle for him and his family," Anne posted.
"He still doesn't have the full use of his left foot and walking with a walker is so difficult but with a home environment and all the medical support he'll make it. I ask only one thing: and that is that you continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as the longest battle is yet to come," she said.
"Once again words will never be enough for all your kindness. Give yourselves a big hug and know it is from all of us."