RTÉ’s Prime Time reports on Sean Cox’s rehab five years after his unprovoked attack in Liverpool

On the fifth anniversary of a random attack before a Liverpool match which left Sean Cox with life-changing injuries, his wife Martina updates Miriam O’Callaghan on his recovery on RTÉ’s Prime Time tonight, Tuesday at 9.35pm.   

In tonight’s programme, viewers will see the new exoskeleton therapy Sean has started in DCU. The innovative treatment allows him to walk upright with the aid of a robotic skeleton. It was an emotional moment when Martina saw him walking in the exoskeleton for the first time.  

Martina tells Miriam O'Callaghan: "[It was] very emotional, really, really emotional to see him.  He actually started in a sitting position and then he just stood up and then [just kinda] walked towards me.  And even the look on his own face!  It's so good. We don't know what is going to come out of this but psychologically it's really good for him." 

During the interview at their Meath home, Martina and Sean reflect on his rehabilitation in the five years since the unprovoked attack near Anfield Stadium on 24th April 2018. Speaking about the importance of the anniversary Martina says: “I don't dwell on it, to be honest life is too busy and life is too short as well.  We are just trying to move on, get the most out of life.  Sean, he is a relatively young man still.  We want to have really good memories.  We are starting to go out a little bit more, we've gone on holidays. We just want to do more of those things." 

Martina says the family continue to look to the future. She says: "In sickness and in health, those words, they are so powerful.  There was never a second thought I was going to do anything else but look after him." 

"You think your life is carved out for you but then it just goes to show you really can't plan because this happened and then everything changed. But I'm still happy and Sean is happy and we still love each other and I think that's what makes all this work." 

Sean has a number of carers who come to the house during the week to support him and Martina.  Martina feels the government need to be doing more to help with this vital service that carers provide for families like theirs. 

She says: "Home care is particularly tricky at the minute, it hasn't been consistent.  Sean's needs are high, recently a lot of the hours are not met, and this is down to the fact that there are not enough carers. The demand is really, really high for both disability and the elderly in the home but the supply of carers is just not there because I think what they are being paid is too low.  I think the government need to definitely look at investing more money into this area." 

Watch the full interview on Prime Time tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9.35pm.