The Maitland Blacks player, who suffered spinal damage in a rugby union grand final almost four months ago, has movement in his shoulders and arms but none in his hands or legs.

The 27-year-old has experienced some awareness of sensation in his lower limbs during the last seven weeks at Ryde’s Royal Rehab, where he continues therapy in the hope of restoring more function throughout his body.

“Dom’s injury is currently classified as C4 quadriplegia, or more correctly tetraplegia, which means he has good movement of his shoulders and some motion in his arms but none in his hands,” the Punch family said.

“He has had some increased awareness of sensation in his lower limbs over time.

“He attends a variety of therapy sessions each day helping him to adjust to his ‘new normal’ by learning to use the function that he has at present so that he can become as independent as possible.

“Our family and friends, and Dom’s therapists, are inspired by his grace and strength in adapting to his situation.

“It’s early days though, and we live in hope that more function will return.”

His current injury classification is neurological-based rather than orthopaedic and can change over time.

The Punch family also posted online an inspirational song quote from James Maher, Dom’s uncle who died from lymphoma in December.

“Life at times is a very painful mystery,” the lyrics read.

“Hope is the smallest flame that burns in the darkness, when every reason for it to be burning is gone.”

In between rehabilitation sessions during the Christmas and New Year period Punch has enjoyed several outings from the hospital setting.

This included the Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards for Excellence at Star City with his work crew at the George Tavern; a visit home to the same Green Hills venue on New Year’s Eve; his parent’s house in Stockton; day two of the Sydney cricket Test between Australia and the West Indies; and a fortnight spent at a nearby wheelchair accessible “home away from home”.

Punch uses a motorised wheelchair for mobility, which he controls with the palm of his hand.

He aims to be discharged from his current location in April.

The replacement hooker dislocated his C5 and C6 vertebrae and damaged his spinal cord in a collapsed scrum during the closing stages of the second grade decider at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground on September 19.

After undergoing emergency surgery at John Hunter Hospital that night he was transferred to Sydney’s Royal North Shore where he spent 50 days in the intensive care unit.

The Punch family would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support, which includes the recent announcement of a donation in excess of $50,000.

It was the culmination of two-month Dig Deep For Dom campaign, which saw almost 50 Hunter hotels, venues, business, sporting and community groups combine forces using charity buckets.

“We are overwhelmed by the level of support being provided by the community, something we never expected,” the Punch family said.

“Our heartfelt thanks to you all.”