Motorcross racer ‘Tony de Tiger’ has had a few setbacks on his road to recovery from a serious accident, but his mother said they are keeping a positive attitude.Tony Grant and his mother Sonja Smith are currently in the US seeking the specialist treatment he needs after nearly dying in an accident in October last year.Locals raised more than $30,000 to send Tony to Spaulding Hospital, in Boston, last month. It was supposed to be enough to cover the intense therapy that will help him recover from brain injuries, which have left the 22-year-old confused and with difficulties communicating with others.However, some of his therapy has been stopped after doctors discovered scar tissue on his windpipe when his mother realised he was having trouble breathing. He now needs to undergo surgery and the family is hoping residents will again help them out.Ms Smith said: “Apparently when the endotracheal tube was taken out in Bermuda, it left scar tissue making it hard for Tony to breathe. He cannot talk much and communicate so he wasn’t able to tell us how he felt, but I could hear that something wasn’t right in his breathing.”Doctors at Massachusetts General hospital performed an operation but told his mother he would have to undergo a second one to reconstruct his windpipe in March. So far that bill has come to $28,288.Ms Smith said Tony’s physical therapy has stopped for the time being but he is still doing occupational and speech therapy.She said his first session was “eye opening”.“The doctor said he believes Tony’s brain has ‘wires’ disconnected which explains why he is confused about many things,” she said. “The doctor covered his right eye and asked me how many fingers he was holding up. Tony said he couldn’t see. When the doctor covered his left eye Tony said he could see two fingers.“All this time nobody realised Tony can only see out of his left eye, so now he has to go to an eye specialist as well and get tested.”An MRI also showed the left side of his brain has been damaged, but that medication will be able to help.Tony was on HIP at the time of his accident, the Government low cost health insurance plan covers very little overseas care. This means every test and treatment must be paid for by the family.“There have been a lot of obstacles but I’m doing good, keeping a positive attitude about everything, which helps,” she said. “I don’t mind the snow either; Tony doesn’t like the cool weather too much though.“Tony has had a great start in his therapy and through the contributions from the public and the family’s fundraising efforts we’ve been able to get him the special treatment he needs, but he has a ways to go and we would really appreciate some help.”His family is raising more money for Tony’s medical care. A registered charity has agreed to accept funds on his behalf.Ms Smith said any money raised would only be used for his therapy and medical procedures at Massachusetts General Hospital. An expense report will be made available to anyone who makes a donation to verify how money has been spent.If you wish to make a donation towards his medical care you can transfer money to the 'Tony De Tiger' Grant Fund at HSBC, account 011 015161 011. or write a cheque to the Batwa Seaton Peoples charity. The charity's registration number is 700.lUseful website: www.spauldingrehab.org