Boyzone sent a get well card. There were other cards, too, from well-wishers throughout the world as Laura Seward (11), the girl who was seriously injured when the Tour de France sped through the outskirts of Youghal, Co Cork, two weeks ago, left hospital with her parents, smiling but only barely able to speak in a whisper.
Since the accident, which turned a family day out into a nightmare, Michael and Bridget Seward, from Ardmore, Co Waterford, maintained a vigil at their daughter's bedside in the Cork University Hospital, where she was rushed by air ambulance after the Italian rider, Frederico de Beni, veered into the crowd.
He was subsequently interviewed by French police when the second stage of the tour moved from Ireland to France, and transcripts were sent to the Garda authorities in Co Cork. It is unclear, though, what action, if any, will be taken against the rider, or whether it will be open to the family to pursue the matter through the courts.
Legal action was the last thing on their minds yesterday as the Sewards, with Laura taking centre stage, faced the assembled media in the hospital before heading for home. Her three sisters, twins Linda and Louise (10) and Michelle (6) were also present.
At a briefing before the news conference, the media were told that Laura did not remember much about the accident and did not really wish to recall it. Reporters and cameramen were told that she might tire easily and that they should be sensitive to the family's position, given the horrendous days they had to endure when it seemed that Laura might emerge from her coma suffering from brain damage.
Earlier last week, she showed signs of making a remarkable recovery and then last Saturday , she opened her eyes and asked for her mother. In the hospital, her condition changed dramatically from critical to serious, and yesterday, she was well enough to whisper answers to questions and to take the camera in her stride.
Laura had something she wanted to say, but a ventilator tube in her throat for some days had left her unable to speak in more than a whisper.
She got the message through, nevertheless. She wanted to thank her mum and dad, her sisters and the medical staff at the Cork University Hospital. Most of all, she wanted to go home to Co Waterford and play with her friends again. The family's relief was palpable.
Having been inundated with media requests for interviews since the accident, the Sewards were glad to get it all over with and are hoping now for a more normal, quiet family life. The Southern Health Board did a remarkable job in making a difficult time easier for the family. Laura's mother said that her daughter, who will be in sixth class next year, had come through because she was a fighter. Her other daughters, she said, were "heartbroken" to think that Laura was so seriously injured: "We are absolutely delighted with her progress and thrilled that she is coming home with us."
Mr Michael Seward said his daughter's homecoming was a source of much pleasure to the family and to the people of Ardmore. "From around the globe, messages of sympathy and support have flooded in - there was tremendous interest and support from everybody," he added.