Glum,
yes, that was kind of what I what I implied in my second sentence above.
"The extra time allowed the programme to portray just the sheer physical and emotional turmoil such injuries cause to all concerned with the injured."
Sorry if it didn't come through so clear.
As the Surgeon at another point commented, the guys who do better and quicker after such injuries are the ones in steady relationships. It's a well known phenomenon in survival situations that the ones who show a stronger will to survive are those with something to live for (wives, children etc).
That being said, yes, the courage and strength portrayed by the Irish lad's Mother was beyond belief, and I speak as someone who's own Mother had to endure the same with my kid brother (injured through medical mishap).