Doctor: 'Leslie is making progress'

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin cross-dressing celebrity, Leslie Cochran, continues to improve as he recovers from a head injury, according to Dr. Mary Gonzales.

Cochran has been in Central Texas Rehabilitation Hospital since Oct. 16.

"He's doing well, he's made great progress since his original injury," said Dr. Mary Gonzales, medical director of the hospital.

Cochran's head injury caused hemorrhaging in his brain. Unfortunately, Cochran cannot remember how he originally sustained the injury.

"At this point, I'm not really sure how much he actually remembers, or how reliable that memory would be," said Dr. Gonzales.

He was found unconscious on the street on Oct. 3 and was taken to the hospital. He was in critical condition at first, but was later upgraded to "fair."

"Cochran began to improve after surgery, and doctors are dealing with the damage to the brain done by bleeding and swelling," Dr. Gonzales said. "I don't know if he'll be the same person before or not. It's a little too early to say that...He's not needing life support or anything like that."

Currently, Cochran is considered "a scholarship or charity" patient, which means the hospital accepts no payment for his medical treatment. It is unknown at this time where the hospital draws this money for his care.

The doctor anticipates more cognitive therapy after his stay in the hospital, as well as "increased supervision for safety's sake."

On Wednesday, the doctors will meet to discuss how much longer he will have to remain in the rehabilitation center.

Below is the entire interview with Dr. Gonzales: