The six-year-old boy who was thrown from the balcony of Tate Modern last summer is now able to sit up and talk. The French tourist, who was visiting London with his parents, was pushed from the gallery’s 10th floor viewing platform by a teenager with a history of mental health problems. 

The victim, who suffered life-changing injuries, including to the brain and spine, is now regaining strength, and his parents are optimistic about his progress.

“After a slump, we’ve found our smiling little boy back,” the child’s parents said, according to an update on a fundraising page for his medical bills that was set up by a concerned stranger.

The boy has now gained the ability to sit up on his own, and he is able to feed himself soft foods with his right hand. He is still working on the coordination of his left side but is making small advances.

“As he has more strength, he also has more breath and for that reason, we understand better what he says and he manages to speak to us more,” the parents say.

In a message to the fundraising page, which has raised more than $245,000 for the child’s medical bills, the parents say they are “very moved” that people are still thinking about their boy during these difficult times. 

They add that the situation at the hospital in France has recently become more complicated due to increasing demand for beds, but they are grateful that so many people are “still there” for the family. “Please stay safe and take care of yourself and those you love,” they say.

The boy, who has not been named, was visiting London with his family when he was attacked at Tate Modern on August 4. He spent several weeks in an intensive care unit before returning to France with his family for further treatment.

In December, the teenager who attacked the boy pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder. He is due to be sentenced shortly. The teenager, who has autism, reportedly told police he planned to hurt someone to highlight the inadequacy of his mental healthcare, according to the BBC.