Noynoy

Moree eleven-year-old, Troy Junior, better known as Noynoy, has been undergoing rehabilitation for the past eight months after a quad bike accident left him fighting for his life.

Noynoy was visiting family on a rural property in northern NSW in October 2020 when his twin sister, Tallara, found him trapped under an overturned quad bike unresponsive, without a pulse and not breathing.

His mother Tammy says it was a harrowing half-hour wait for an ambulance, when family members had to perform CPR.

“We raced to find the defibrillator that was stored on the property and used it to jolt his body back to jagged breathing,” she said.

Noynoy was airlifted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital with a suspected collapsed lung, among his injuries.

He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for the next two-and-a-half weeks where he was diagnosed with seven broken ribs and a hypoxic brain injury.

Due to his severe brain injury meant, he has had to relearn how to perform many everyday tasks.

“We have been taking the recovery process one day at a time,” his mum says.

“After his accident he couldn’t walk or talk but over time he’s learned to talk again and tell us how he’s doing.”

Each day in hospital involves a range of allied health therapies, while attending the Queensland Children’s Hospital School three times a week.

His mum jokes that he continues to complain about going to school, then loves it when he is there. “So that part of him hasn’t changed,” she says.

Day by day the Moree family have been working towards their goal for Noynoy to walk and kick the footy with his cousin Graham.

“It was only a few weeks ago that he just sat up all by himself. He just pushed himself up off the ground, which was amazing. We didn’t think he would be able to do that, but he really is improving every day,” she said.

He received a boost in determination when he got a call from his heroes at the Newcastle Knights, who video called him one Saturday morning before running out onto the field for a match.

These encouragements from well-wishers, medical supporters and his family – as well as his own determination – all help to build on his daily progress.

“Him seeing all his family and them saying, ‘Come on, you’ve got to hurry up and get better’. That gives him that determination to keep going.”

Noynoy was recently discharged from hospital and is now enjoying being back home with his family in northern NSW.

And after many months of rehabilitation, Tammy says he’s reached another momentous milestone in his recovery.

“Noynoy’s taken his first steps and is now walking four to five metres at a time. He has come so far in his journey and we are so incredibly proud of everything he’s achieved.”

While his road to recovery is still continuing, he’s very much looking forward to returning to school soon with his friends.