Ferguson, who is alert and able to talk, has had surgeries to repair his broken jaw and to place skin grafts over his burns.
The big Pittsburgh Pirates fan got a pleasant surprise Sunday night when friend Ashlee Darby presented him with a signed Andrew McCutchen jersey. Darby is part of a charity team that works with the Pirates star and asked the 2013 National League MVP to sign a jersey for Ferguson.
“When I gave him the jersey, he was like ‘no way!’ I was just really happy to give it to him,” Darby said. “It was really cool.”
Ferguson was struck by lightning April 8 while walking across a parking lot on the UD campus. He broke his jaw when he fell and sustained burns over 35 percent of his body, according to the University of Dayton. Several bystanders rushed to his aid and administered CPR.
“There are simply no words to express our deep gratitude to all of those who rushed to the scene,” his parents, Mark and Sue, said in a letter to the UD community. “These first responders, especially the student who stepped forward to initiate CPR, quite simply saved our son’s life.”
Darby said Ferguson is “all there cognitively” and enjoys seeing visitors. He is able to speak through his wired jaw.
Ferguson was transferred last Sunday from Miami Valley Hospital’s burn unit to UPMC Mercy. His parents lauded the care their 23-year-old son received in Dayton.
“As a result of their medical expertise and the thousands of prayers that continue to be directed his way from around the world — Masses were even held in Australia, Brazil and Ireland — Sean’s condition has improved from a fight for his life to a long, arduous recovery process,” they said.
“The road ahead to recovery is going to be difficult and filled with numerous surgeries and rehabilitation to repair his burns and broken bones over the coming weeks and months.”
Ferguson, a marketing major, is on schedule to graduate in December.
Darby shared with the Ferguson family some of the comments posted on a GoFundMe account she set up to raise money to help out with medical expenses.
“It’s amazing to see what everyone is saying, even strangers who don’t know him,” Darby said. “(The family) was overwhelmed with how much support that they’ve gotten.”
The GoFundMe site had raised $14,240 from 270 donors as of late Tuesday afternoon.
“The initial goal was $5,000, but it just took off,” Darby said. “I’m going to keep it going. It’s going to help tremendously. He has a great attitude and all of the support and messages lift him up.”
According to the National Weather Service, the last lightning fatality in Ohio occurred in 2012.
A total of 26 people died nationwide in 2014 from lightning strikes. Such fatalities have decreased in recent years after totaling 48 in 2006 and 45 in 2007.
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