Family of young Irish man who suffered brain injury in Spain seek help to fund his recovery

The loved ones of a 30 year old Irish man who suffered a catastrophic head injury in Spain are seeking help to fund his specialist rehabilitation. 

According to a fundraising campaign set up on Go Fund Me, Brian Domi Mallon's life took an unexpected turn when he missed a step descending the stairs of Sagrada Familia Metro Station in Barcelona on his way home from work on March 3, 2023. 

A Sligo man, Brian reportedly moved to Barcelona after falling in love with the city during an Erasmus year, and was due to start teaching sociology after completing his masters in 2022. 

After his fall, he was initially in a coma for two weeks due to a brain bleed, but began making an "almost miraculous recovery" when he woke up. 

However, during Easter week, Brian developed an infection at the site of his craniotomy, which quickly spread through his entire brain. 

Despite surgery to attempt removal of the infection, he suffered a further bleed and went back into a coma. 

Brian - who has undergone eleven surgeries to address issues such as bleeds, craniotomy, cranioplasty, brain shunts and PEG feeding tube - has been left with challenges such as an inability to talk and communicate, as well as complete paralysis on his right side, and partial paralysis on his left side. 

He spent three months on life support, almost five months in ICU, and 5 months in a specialist rehabilitation hospital in Barcelona. 

Fortunately, he began to breathe fully for himself in September and began to eat in October, before finally starting to say some words in November. 

He is beginning to regain movement and mobility very slowly, and he is in good spirits. 

However, as he needs 24/7 total care and needs to learn to speak again, people in the Sligo community and beyond are being urged to donate what they can to his ongoing care. 

Brian returned by air ambulance to Sligo University Hospital just before the turn of the new year and was moved to the Benbulben Rehabilitation unit at St. John’s Hospital, Sligo at the end of January.

His participation in rehabilitation has reportedly been stunted due to medical issues, the severity of his brain injury, medication side effects, and his difficulty in communicating.

According to the Go Fund Me campaign, the potential of Brian’s recovery "massively depends" on continuing specialist rehabilitation. 

The money raised by the campaign will go to the Brian Domi trust fund for his medical care, modifications to the family home, and the provision of accessible transport. 

A statement from the family reads: "Regardless of size, every donation is a meaningful step toward Brian regaining independence and rebuilding his life. In these challenging times, your support is a source of comfort and strength for our family.

"Every cent received will go directly into the Brian Domi trust fund and will be used exclusively for Brian's rehabilitation and needs. Thank you for being part of Brian's support network. Your kindness is making a significant impact. We appreciate it more than words can express." 

Almost €10,000 has been raised for Brian's recovery so far out of a €75,000 goal.