The parents of Arbroath girl “Super” Cally Simpson are looking ahead to her starting school a day they feared they would never see.
Cally, from Arbroath, was resuscitated by hotel staff and holidaymakers after being pulled from the bottom of a swimming pool at the Hotel Villamarina in Salou.
A year on from the tragedy, Cally’s mum Kate Miller posted a personal message from her “wee fighter” daughter thanking everyone for their support.
It read: “Hi everyone. Well it was a year ago today I had the worst accident anyone could have.
“I was fighting for my life and the doctors weren’t hopeful at all but my mummy and daddy stayed with me every day and pulled me through the toughest time of my life,
“I am now at home with my mummy and have started a new life.
“Every day is a new day. It is hard at times but I am a proper wee fighter and I am coming on slowly every day.
“I am beginning Primary 1 after the summer and am super excited.
“I just want to thank everyone who has helped me on my path to recovery and supported us through our hardest days.
“Much love from Princess Cally.”
Cally had been visiting Salou with family when the accident happened. She was pulled unconscious from the swimming pool at Hotel Villamarina and was given CPR by a British doctor who was staying at the resort.
She could not breathe at all for at least 20 minutes before being taken to the nearby Joan XXIII Hospital, where she was revived.
Cally’s parents were told she was possibly brain dead and there was debate among specialists over whether to continue her treatment.
She was in a coma as she stayed in a number of Spanish hospitals before flying back to Scotland for treatment in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh and then Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Cally emerged from the coma last year under the supervision of doctors who slowly reduced her medication.
The youngster has continued to surprise medical staff with her resilience.
The four-year-old returned home to mum Kate’s new Arbroath home in May after spending 11 months in hospital.