Eight months since he was hit by a car riding his scooter home at Woolooware, television and radio personality Glenn Wheeler has made his first, tentative steps back into the spotlight, giving an emotional interview in which he discusses his traumatic ordeal for the first time.
While the sparkle in his eye has dimmed a little and his trade mark wit a little slower, there was no mistaking the voice when Wheeler filmed a special thank you video on Tuesday, which was screened at a media industry fundraiser at The Star on Wednesday night, where Wheeler's colleagues from the Seven Network and 2GB were joined by peers from the ABC, News Corp, Fairfax Media, 2UE, Channel Nine and Channel Ten.
"Thank you everybody collectively for the fabulous support that I have had ... that this little black duck has had. It hasn't been easy, I've had my tough times, but yes I've nearly been to death and back, but I tell you what it [the support] has been fantastic ... to all the people involved, you are amazing. One thing's for sure, when it happens once it can happen again and it could happen to you ... and if it does I hope that I can chip in and support you," an emotional Wheelers said from the brain injury unit at Liverpool Hospital.
It was only in April when Wheeler's son Dane said his father was still suffering from post trauma amnesia.
He told 2GB's Ben Fordham:"He's recognising us as family and friends but his memory and many other neurological things are not quite working yet.
"These sort of injuries take years and we don't know to what sort of extent because he's obviously suffered a severe injury and we don't know how long it is going to take or what its going to take to get him back on his feet."
Four months later and Wheeler has made considerable progress, though those closest to him admit he still has a long way to go.
Wheeler's executive producer at Seven's The Morning Show, Sarah Stinson, along with hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, visited Wheeler on Tuesday to film the video, taking with them a series of messages from across the media industry, featuring newsreaders, network chief executives and behind the scenes staff.
Stinson told Private Sydney: "You know it was pretty reassuring to see him doing so well on Tuesday, that was a great relief for us. We just want to raise as much money as we can for him, the ongoing medical bills are enormous and we are trying to help the family. We love Glenn, this is the least we could do."
