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German teenager Daniel Ezzedine has finally returned home from hospital - almost a year to the day since he suffered life-changing injuries in a gang attack in Canterbury.
But his family say the teenager, who is in a wheelchair and unable to walk, still has “a very long way to go”.
Daniel had been in the UK on a graduation trip on June 6 last year when he was attacked in Rose Lane.
He suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in London, where doctors initially gave him just a 30% chance of survival.
Fighting for his life, he was placed in an induced coma.
His heartbroken family flew over to the UK and stayed in the capital for more than three months while Daniel remained in a serious condition in hospital.
After waking from his coma, Daniel underwent three months of treatment and surgery to insert a metal plate in his head.
In September, he was deemed stable enough to fly back to his home country, where he was passed into the care of German medics.
He remained in hospital for months, still struggling to speak, and spending his 18th birthday there.
For the last few months, Daniel has been receiving treatment at a rehabilitation clinic, where experts have worked to help restore his speech and movement.
Yesterday, almost a year to the day since the devastating incident, he finally returned home to his family.
His brother, Samer Ezzedine said: “He is doing better than a year ago, but still he has a very long way to go.
“Unfortunately, my brother is in need of permanent medical and therapeutic care and still has to rely on a lot of help.
“Although it tears our hearts apart to see my beloved brother in this state, we, as a family, of course are going to support him until he hopefully someday gains full independence.”
Another brother, Bassam, added: “He laughs again, he talks to us and he jokes again.
“He has been in a rehabilitation clinic for the past few months. But he still has to be in a wheelchair.
“He is not yet able to walk properly and has many problems with movements.
“He has been in various therapies, exercise therapy, speech therapy and many more for months now.
“Our family holds together well and we are glad that Daniel can finally come home.”
Ten people have been charged in connection with the incident and are due to appear in court.
