Soccer fan still critical

THE MOTHER of critically ill Melbourne teenager Reagan Milstein has thanked the community for its support during a difficult time.

Reagan remains in a Singapore hospital with his parents by his bedside, after suffering major complications following a diving accident in Malaysia.

His mother Tamara told The AJN, “Our immediate aim is to bring our beautiful boy safely back to Melbourne and that alone has its many challenges.

“We are hopeful that the doctors in Singapore will be able to stabilise Reagan in the next few days so that he can be transferred back to a Melbourne hospital and in the meantime, we continue to hold his hand and sit beside him as he tries to find his way back to us.

She said the family have been overwhelmed with good wishes and prayers. “Our entire family has been overwhelmed by the love and support of friends, the community and the outpouring of kindness from across the world and this continues to be a constant source of comfort to us during this unbearably sad journey.

Reagan’s father Kevin Milstein said via Facebook that Reagan’s condition was more complicated than the bends, a common diving accident, and he had suffered brain damage due to the blood supply being cut off to his brain.

“We cannot know what the future holds for Reagan but we can be certain that the beautiful boy that left for the World Cup in June is not the same one that will be returning home,” he posted.

Meanwhile, students and staff at Melbourne’s Bialik College are continuing to pray for the year 8 student’s recovery.

The Milstein family has been associated with the school for 20 years and the accident has profoundly impacted on the school, where Kevin works as an integration aide and Reagan’s brother Corey is a year 11 student.

Principal Joseph Gerassi said Reagan and the Milstein family were in the thoughts of all at the school.
“We continue to pray for Reagan and to hope for news of some improvement,” he said.

Since news of the accident reached the school, counsellors have been made available to provide support to both students and staff.

Regular lunchtime prayer sessions have been held by campus Rabbi Steven Link, and both staff and students have written personal notes to Reagan, which are being sent to the Milstein family in Singapore.

A Facebook group called “Reagan’s Recovery” had attracted over 1300 members as of Wednesday morning.

Reagan’s favourite soccer team, the Melbourne Victory, also sent its support. In addition Reagan’s Maccabi soccer club, the U15B Thunder, dedicated their game on Sunday to their friend and teammate.

GARETH NARUNSKY