Couple's battle for injured son

Like most teenagers, sports-mad David had a busy social life, a part-time job, and was studying for his GCSEs.

But halfway through the match against Newport HSOB last February, David came off the pitch, complaining of a headache after a seemingly innocuous knock to the head.

Just three days later he was fighting for his life, after slipping into a coma during life- saving surgery to remove a massive blood clot.

David's mother, Mandy Griffiths, said: "At one point a nurse told us to kiss him goodbye. I was devastated."

She and husband Roger kept a bedside vigil at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, until finally, six weeks later, David opened his eyes.

"It was just gradual. He had to learn to walk again, and did not speak for six months," said Mrs Griffiths.

David can walk now but he has poor balance, and gets very tired. He says a few words now and then, but has very short-term memory. His parents must provide constant care.

Treatment at the brain injury specialists in Rookwood Hospital, in Llandaff, and at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, in Bath, was unsuccessful.

"He has been living at home since January without a proper care package," said Mandy. "He has barely any occupational therapy and no physio or psychological treatment."

David spends three afternoons a week at the Maes Ebbw School, in Maesglas, and has a one-to-one session with Headworks on a weekly basis.

Three family aides visit Mandy and father Roger, 40, every week, to provide some respite care, which gives the couple around 12 hours a week for themselves.

Mrs Griffiths said: "I want to get him a period of intensive rehabilitation in a suitable unit.

"We have found two, in Swansea and in Leeds."

The biggest obstacle is funding, which could be up to £2,000 per week, and the therapy could take months.

"We are so desperate we are going to try to raise the money ourselves," she said.