Strawbridge heads home
In what can only be described as incredible, Chiefs Assistant Coach Andrew Strawbridge has been discharged from Waikato Hospital.
His discharge comes less than three weeks after falling critically ill in Samoa while there for the historic Samoa and All Blacks Test match earlier in the month.
Strawbridge said: "It has been a very traumatic journey, so I have to be realistic that I will take a long time to recover, but I would like to thank so many people.
"I would sincerely like to thank Ross Wylde who donated blood, the incredible Dr Dave Galler and the Moto'otua National Hospital Intensive Care Unit team, the Air Ambulance Crew, the wonderful staff at Waikato Hospital, the Chiefs, Manu Samoa aiga, New Zealand Rugby and all of our family and friends and especially my lovely wife and sister who has been simply amazing during this ordeal."
The 50 year-old will continue to remain under multiple specialists as he continues his recovery process.
Strawbridge's wife Laura Strawbridge said: "We need time to heal as we are exhausted from this frightening journey, which is far from over.
"It will be a while before he is ready for visitors but we are delighted that Andrew has made such big improvements that he is allowed home. The whole experience has brought our family even closer and made us realise our collective strength.
"We are so grateful for the support of everyone and to those people, who have kindly contributed to the appeal for the Samoan ICU. Words cannot express how thankful we are and we hope through our situation we can help other people and make a difference for the Samoa ICU."
