March 27, 2008


Darren Chiacchia fund - EAF*
Latest on Darren Chiacchia

Supporters from around the world will breathe a sigh of relief with the news that injured US event rider Darren Chiacchia is awake and breathing on his own. The 42-year-old was critically injured in a cross-country fall in Florida on March 15, and has been in intensive care at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital since.

He was taken off the ventilator on Monday, and since then his pulmonary function has been increasing. "His ability to communicate is also improving, utilizing hand gestures and making appropriate eye contact," his family said. They added that the prognosis remained positive for Darren.

His brother Daniel, who has been at his bedside since the accident, and sister Kim have returned to New York but will return to Florida next week for the fund raiser being held in Darren's honour.

Darren's mother, Evelyn, and his other sister Maria are still with Darren in Florida.