Dodge City ? A man who suffered serious brain injuries when his head struck an overpass while on the roof of a Kansas State football fan bus spoke publicly this week to thank his supporters.

Christian Orr suffered a brain injury so severe doctors gave him almost no chance of survival.

Orr and another man were standing on the upper deck of the Cat Tracker double-decker bus Nov. 18 on the way to a Kansas State-Kansas football game in Lawrence when their heads struck an overpass under which the bus had driven.

Orr was in critical condition and in a coma for a month, and John Green, 27, died at the scene.

“There have been countless people, when I’m talking on the phone with them, that said I have been a part of their prayers at night,” Orr told the Dodge City Daily Globe. “I appreciate everybody sending prayers up in my name.”

Now, Orr’s going through rehabilitation three times a week and has been at home with his wife in Salina.

Orr said he’s picking up and moving on. His brain injury is getting “a heck of a lot better,” but there are still some things he can’t do, such as maintain his balance 100 percent.

His memory is spotty at times.

Orr said his rehabilitation includes speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Orr said his wife, Stacey, his two sons and the rest of his family have been an inspiration for him through his rehabilitation.

“My wife, who is seeing me through all this, has been beside me and has been awesome,” he said. “My little boys are behind me 100 percent. They come up and give me hugs, and that is very meaningful.”

He said he wants to return to his journalism career. He had previously worked for the Dodge City Daily Globe and The Salina Journal newspapers.

“When all this gets behind me, I would love to be a sports writer again.”