A rugby player who had emergency spinal surgery said he was overwhelmed by the support he has received.
Mathew Parry damaged his neck during a Welsh club match for Pwllheli RFC against Gwynedd rivals Bethesda last month.
The 34-year-old scaffolder does not know if he will be able to work again and more than £6,500 has already been donated to a fundraising campaign.
Strongs Matt🙏🏽👊🏽
— Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) 16 September 2018
He said: “It’s been unbelievable. There are so many kind people out there.”
Parry was playing outside-half on 15 September when, chasing a kick 35 minutes into the game, a challenge on the ground damaged three of his vertebrae.
He will have to wear a neck brace for months and does not know if the feeling in the left side of his upper body will ever return.
He said: “The surgeon said I was very lucky not to be left disabled. So we’re just taking it day by day. I can’t really look too much into the future.”
Mr Parry, of Tregarth, has played rugby since a young boy but could never have imagined the game he loves would change his life in an instant.
“I knew there was something wrong because I was in a lot of pain,” he recalled.
“I tried to get back up but I fell straight back down and couldn’t move.
“It hasn’t changed my outlook on the game. It’s a hard game but this doesn’t happen every week.
“But I didn’t have personal insurance and I’d advise everyone who plays any sport to take out insurance before they step on to that field.”
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