Anahera "Angel" Rangitaawa is breathing on her own, moving her arms and legs and has squeezed her brother’s hand as she recovers from severe injuries she received in Palmerston North. The 33-year-old transgender Auckland woman was found lying on the street in Palmerston North in the early hours of Saturday morning, after attending an exhibition opening. Among her injuries are bleeding and swelling of the brain, multiple skull and face fractures, broken eye sockets and a broken shoulder blade. Her mum has shared the “happy, happy news” that Rangitaawa is has been taken off the ventilator and is now breathing on her own, moving her arms and legs and coughing. “Even though she has a way to go this is all positive … she is making progress and I know it’s all the love, light and healing energy everybody is sending to her.” She also squeezed her brother’s hand when he spoke to her and opened her eyes towards her mum when she spoke to her. “You don’t know how that made us all feel,” her mum says. “I have broken down a few times because it’s so very hard to see my beloved daughter in this condition.” Rangitaawa’s mum has thanked everyone for their concern. An account has been set up for donations, which will go straight to Angel's whanau as they remain at her side. You can make a donation via internet banking or at any Westpac NZ branch 03 0547 0415541 000 - account name 'Fallen Angel Fund'. For international donations please use SWIFT code WPACNZ2W.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 23rd June 2014 - 5:21pm