HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – The National Guardsman from Hattiesburg, who suffered a severe heat stroke while training at Camp Shelby in August 2023, returned home.

Colby Maury-Rice spent the last five months in a hospital.

“I’m happy to be home with my family, where I belong, to be able to see people, see my friends, be able to just be where I belong. There’s nothing more I could ask than to be here, right here at this moment,” he said.

Maury-Rice suffered brain damage after collapsing from a heat stroke. After waking from 57-day coma, he had to relearn how to speak, walk and eat.

“He is recovering well and just exceeding what we expected. We have come such a long way, even though we have a long road ahead of us. We are just grateful to be home and are so grateful for this miracle that is Colby,” said Maeda Dockery, his mother.

Maury-Rice will still have to undergo several months of physical, speech and occupational therapy. He said giving up is not an option.

“I didn’t think I would make progress this quickly. Honestly, I’m happy that I’m making progress. Even if it’s slow, it’s progress. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters, is progress,” he said.

After therapy, Maury-Rice has his eyes set on the future.

“I want to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. USM to the top.”

A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for his medical expenses.