Bergen Teen Improving Months After Debilitating Brain Injury

MAHWAH, N.J. — Sara Goffredo makes progress everyday. She gets stronger everyday. She is a fighter.

Goffredo has a history of breathing problems and takes medication to help manage it. She was out shopping with her mom May 17 when she had trouble breathing and went into cardiac arrest. She suffered loss of oxygen to the brain and was in a coma for two months.

Goffredo was at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick from June 1 to Sept. 29. She is now home recovering.

RELATED: Mahwah Girl Suffers Brain Injury, Been Unconscious Since May 17

"She's making slow progress, but it's progress," Goffredo's father Bill said. "Its frustrating and exciting at the same time. I think she's capable of more."

Goffredo has made remarkable progress since she came home. She works with a physical therapist four days a week and can stand on her own. She can move her fingers and hands a little more all the time.

Goffredo works with a speech therapist three a days week and is talking and eat solid food more, but she still receives food through a feeding tube.

Goffredo's friends visit her often and she tries talking to them. She smiles when she sees them.

"She is definitely aware of what is going on around her," Bill Goffredo said. "She loves having her friends over."

The community has rallied around Goffredo and her family.

RELATED: Community Sings Together To Help Mahwah Girl With Brain Injury

About $80,000 has been raised to help the family take care of her. A group of her friends and dozens from the community attended a Sing for Sara fundraiser at the Mason Jar in October.

Councilman Jim Wysocki donated an autographed Les Paul guitar that will be auctioned off. The proceeds will be donated to the family.

"We're so thankful for the kindness and support of the community," Bill Goffredo said. "Sara is getting better and better everyday. It's a long road she's on. We're hopeful she'll continue to show progress."

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Image courtesy of Go Fund Me