Inspirational Rugby Lives
Posted on Tuesday, 06 April 2010 18:41This week I've read three really inspirational stories centred around Rugby. They're not about the dazzling wingers or the mighty props, but about people who've overcome adversity in an amazing fashion.
Roger Addison
When 21 year old Pontypool prop Roger Addison broke his neck during a friendly fixture against Rubgy, he nearly died on the pitch. Were it not for the medical expertise of Rugby's president, who thankfully was a doctor, he would have.
After the accident, Roger was left a quadriplegic, and told that because of his injuries he would not live more than three years. Roger died last week aged 65, and proved everyone wrong.
Julian Huxley
Two years ago, a knock to the head left Brumbies and Australia fullback convulsing on the pitch. While being checked out in hospital for this he was told he had a benign brain tumour.
Many feared that, at 29, his career was over, but remarkably, after going through surgery and Chemotherapy, he came off the bench last week for his team.
Charlie Pattison
This is a remarkable story of one young man who proves adversity is in the eye of the beholder. Charlie was born without a right hand. Some might see that as being a fairly major obstacle when it comes to playing Rugby, but it hasn't affected him one bit.
Playing for London Division Two side Harpendon RFC he's one of the teams most highly rated players.