Kerstin Fritzl Reunited with her Family
Posted by shadmia on June 20, 2008
Kirsten Fritzl, 19, of Amstetten, Austria who had been in a medically-induced coma for several weeks, has finally been reunited with her mother and siblings. Her father, Josef Fritzl, remains in jail having being accused of repeatedly raping his own daughter, who bore him 7 children (including Kristen) and holding them captive for 24 years in a cellar. See the Fritzl story here.
Kerstin’s doctor, Dr Albert Reiter said: “It was an extraordinary moment when Kerstin, holding my arm, and I were able to walk through the door into a new home, crossing the threshold into a new life.The entire family is very happy that they are all together for the first time.“ See the press conference here. The Fritzl family now lives in an apartment on the grounds of the clinic where they are being taken care of.
Kerstin’s recovery has truly been remarkable. She was rushed to hospital in April after she fell desperately ill and was placed on life support systems including a respirator and dialysis machine. Her condition became worse and she was eventually put into a medically-induced coma to help her organs recover. In May her doctors began reducing her medication and she was brought out of the coma in June. Elisabeth, her mother, was at her bedside regularly encouraging her to fully come back into the world.
As she lay in bed, medics gradually started to help her to use her muscles again – including teaching her how to eat and speak again because of problems caused by the length of time she was connected to the respirator. Finally she was allowed out of intensive care and was taken by ambulance to start a new life with the rest of her freed family.
She is still suffering from symptoms associated with prolonged bedrest, including muscle waste and deterioration of her bones. But she has already managed to walk and received vaccinations to prepare her body for the outside world.
The Fritzl family is now all together: Kerstin; Elisabeth, her mother; Rosemarie, her grandmother; her brothers (Felix, 6, Alexander, 12 and Stefan, 18); and her sisters (Monika, 14 and Lisa, 16);
Family lawyer Christoph Herbst said Elisabeth, 42, is now determined to keep the family together.
“The family all want to live together. There is a real desire to be with one another. To be together is something very precious indeed. Everyone involved couldn’t anticipate that this could happen so quickly and so positively.”
But he said their freedom of movement was severely restricted by media besieging the clinic and appealed to journalists to respect family members’ privacy.
June 25, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I think someone that knows robbie willams..should ask him if he would visit kerstin..I think that would help her so much…
michael..
July 14, 2008 at 12:49 am
Dear Elizabeth, You are a beautiful, strong woman. My sister was also raped by my father (he and my mother are now divorced, thank God). I think of you often and pray for you, your children, your mom and your siblings. Don’t worry, honey, everything will work out. I hope someday you will find love with a nice man. You certainly deserve the best of everything. We love you. Sincerely, Michele
August 14, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Dear Elizabeth
I am so happy for you and your whole entire family. I am appauld that your own father could do something so horendous and violating.
You are an inspiration to all rape victims and to women around the world.
With that nasty creature (I am sure you take no offend to this) you call a father, behind bars, I hope, wish, and pray for all the best things in life to come your way.
Raise your family well and I hope you can recover and become a stunning addition to society.
I hope you find a loving and gentle man to take care of you and your family.
With Sincere Devotion
And A Bunch of Great Big Hugs To You and Your Family …
LOVE SARAH WINTERS
September 21, 2008 at 9:25 pm
To Elisabeth and children:
May God heal the emotional and physical scars. We celebrate your freedom with you and extend wishes for peaceful and joyful lives.