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Paralysed rugby player goes home | Paralysed rugby player goes home |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man who broke his neck while playing his final game of rugby has returned home after 18 months in hospital. | A man who broke his neck while playing his final game of rugby has returned home after 18 months in hospital. |
An appeal involving rugby clubs across Wales raised £200,000 for alterations to allow Bryan Davies, 50, to live back with his family in Bala, Gwynedd. | |
He called going home to his wife and two children a shock, but "Welsh fresh air" was already making a difference. | He called going home to his wife and two children a shock, but "Welsh fresh air" was already making a difference. |
Mr Davies, known as Yogi, was playing his final game for Bala when the accident happened. | Mr Davies, known as Yogi, was playing his final game for Bala when the accident happened. |
The fund-raising has ranged from events at rugby clubs across Wales, to £10,000 from his former employers, Ifor Williams Trailers in Gwynedd. Thank you seems so small, considering the things people have done for us Sue Davies, Brian Davies's wife | The fund-raising has ranged from events at rugby clubs across Wales, to £10,000 from his former employers, Ifor Williams Trailers in Gwynedd. Thank you seems so small, considering the things people have done for us Sue Davies, Brian Davies's wife |
"I'd like to thank everybody who contributed to the fund, without them I'd never be able to come home," Mr Davies said. | "I'd like to thank everybody who contributed to the fund, without them I'd never be able to come home," Mr Davies said. |
"The Welsh fresh air makes a big difference. | "The Welsh fresh air makes a big difference. |
"It was a bit of a shock to come home, but hopefully now I can look forward to the future and get on with my life." | "It was a bit of a shock to come home, but hopefully now I can look forward to the future and get on with my life." |
Mr Davies' wife Sue said his homecoming had been "like all my Christmases had come together". | Mr Davies' wife Sue said his homecoming had been "like all my Christmases had come together". |
Despite the "rollercoaster" over the past 18 months she said she was a "very determined person" and had promised to get her husband back to Bala. | Despite the "rollercoaster" over the past 18 months she said she was a "very determined person" and had promised to get her husband back to Bala. |
She said her husband had told her when he was first injured, and in intensive care, that she had permission to put him in a home. | She said her husband had told her when he was first injured, and in intensive care, that she had permission to put him in a home. |
The Davies' home has been adapted for wheelchair use. | The Davies' home has been adapted for wheelchair use. |
"Basically I said if you even say that again the broken neck will be the least of your worries." | "Basically I said if you even say that again the broken neck will be the least of your worries." |
Describing the moment her husband arrived home she added: "People kept asking me how I felt, and I didn't know how I felt. | Describing the moment her husband arrived home she added: "People kept asking me how I felt, and I didn't know how I felt. |
"Then I saw the van (bringing him home) turning from the main road and my heart went into a tizz." | "Then I saw the van (bringing him home) turning from the main road and my heart went into a tizz." |
The money raised has been used to adapt the house with a new extension, special lift and equipment, and accommodation for the carers Mr Davies needs 24 hours a day. | The money raised has been used to adapt the house with a new extension, special lift and equipment, and accommodation for the carers Mr Davies needs 24 hours a day. |
"It has also widened doorways for access to the rest of the house, so it is still a family home," said Mrs Davies. | "It has also widened doorways for access to the rest of the house, so it is still a family home," said Mrs Davies. |
Of those who contributed she added: "I am so grateful to everyone. | Of those who contributed she added: "I am so grateful to everyone. |
"Thank you seems so small, considering the things people have done for us." | "Thank you seems so small, considering the things people have done for us." |
Rhodri Jones, the treasurer of Bala Rugby Club, and member of the appeal committee said the support both locally and nationally throughout Wales had been "phenomenal". | Rhodri Jones, the treasurer of Bala Rugby Club, and member of the appeal committee said the support both locally and nationally throughout Wales had been "phenomenal". |
"The money raised has surprised us and far exceeded what we expected," he added. | "The money raised has surprised us and far exceeded what we expected," he added. |
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