Matt Hampson - A Spinal Injury Survivor 20 Years On

Morning all!

I woke today to find this news article on my phone: it is a look back at a young rugby player, Matt Hampson, who was one of Leicester Tigers up and coming stars who had a spinal injury after a scrum collapsed 20 years ago. It tells a bit of the story of what happened next.

While Matt is a spinal injury patient, we have people here who go through much the same disaster of life-changing disability. I hope that sharing this story leads on to some of us who are in that darkest of dark places after an injury knowing that there are others out there who have gone through similar stuff and found good purpose in life.

It obviously helped that Matt was a sportsman in a popular sport and funds to help him were raised quickly and generously. He got great support at Stoke Mandeville Hospital spinal injuries unit and came out wanting to give to others with the funds that had been raised, so he has been able to found a centre in Leicestershire for spinal injury rehabilitation. I guess for the rest of us, the key take away is that if we find ourselves in a similar situation, to find the right support because there are great ways forwards with the right support.

I also love the quote:

I hope sharing this is useful for at least one person :green_heart:

Richard

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