Facebook page documents progress of 12-year-old hit by New Year's Eve celebratory gunfire

TAMPA, Fla. - A 12-year-old boy hit by celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve has been upgraded to fair condition, and a Facebook page even claims he is walking and able to write.

Diego Duran was sedated for days, while friends and family waited to see if his brain would stop swelling.

While they waited, they created "Friends of Diego Duran", a Facebook page covered with digital prayers from people keeping vigil all over the country.

One woman wrote, "I have begged everyone I know to keep the positive energy and prayers coming."

Another post reads, "We are sure God is blessing your child."

Diego's parents started posting responses, like a picture of cards from his classmates, taped to his hospital room walls, and another picture of a mini-shrine, with cards and pictures of him as a young boy.

The Facebook page is filled with tokens of hope for recovery against all odds, which is exactly what's started to happen.

Wednesday afternoon, a post popped up that Diego was awake. He'd even lifted a spoonful of pudding to his mouth.

Another post announced that he stood up with help from nurses and was able to use his iPod for the first time.

But perhaps the most astounding, when doctors asked how he was feeling, the boy who lay in a coma for days actually wrote one word.

"Abuela."

Spanish for "grandmother", who was sitting by his bedside.

To visit the Facebook page, or to donate to Diego's family, visit Friends of Diego Duran .