GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Clarey family is on the long road to recovery.
You may remember that on Aug. 30, Brian Clarey, his wife Jill and son Ross were in a car accident with an 18-wheeler while on their way to Boston.
The devastating crash landed the family in a Charlottesville hospital for several weeks.
Brian Clarey, the publisher and executive editor of the local publication Triad City Beat, was released from the hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Clarey sat down with WFMY News 2's Madelyn Ricket on Friday to provide an update on how he and his family were holding up.
Clarey looked noticeably better than at the first meeting. The bandages, sling and hospital gown were removed and replaced with plainclothes and a cane.
Every day comes a new victory, whether that be a hot shower or being able to lift his feet off the ground.
"I'm doing fine, and everything is moving in the right direction," said Clarey.
But while most of the family is home, his wife is still recovering in a hospital in Charlottesville.
"We’re not out of the woods yet. Jill is still hurt really bad," wrote Clarey in a Facebook post.
According to Clarey, Jill has been largely unable to communicate and can only use one hand.
Being unable to drive, it's unclear when Clarey will be able to visit his wife again. But even though she can't reply, he keeps her in the loop by texting her daily updates and sending pictures of their kids and cats.
"In many ways, she would gladly switch places with me and I would go for it," said Clarey.
Luckily, she is not alone. Clarey said she is surrounded by close friends and her twin sister, Jodie, who has been "absolutely amazing" in this difficult time.
Clarey's son, Ross, was released from the hospital about a week before him.
While he's anxious to get back to school in Boston, Clarey said he's taking things a day at a time.
"He's a very sanguine kid and he has always just been very accepting of reality," said Clarey. "He's like, 'I'm not quite ready yet'."
Despite everything, Clarey has come away with a positive outlook. He expressed his deep gratitude for everyone in the Triad who came to his family's aid.
"There are just so many good people here who care, who believe in community and who care about all of us and how we interact together. It's one of the things that makes the Triad special," said Clarey.
Although the road to recovery is long, the Clareys are not doing it alone.
"Love is real and powerful. Humans are amazing. Life can be fragile and fleeting. And together, we can overcome anything," wrote Clarey.