FERMOY MAN PARALYZED AFTER RUGBY ACCIDENT NEEDS YOUR HELP
Stuart Mangan, 25, a native of Fermoy, was left paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe without a ventilator as a result of an injury received while playing a rugby match with his London club Hammersmith and Fulham.
On April 5 last during a tackle, Stuart’s third vertebrae went over his fourth and he immediately lost all movement and breathing. He was kept alive by a teammate who performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the paramedics arrived and he was rushed to the intensive care unit at the Charing Cross Hospital, London.
For Stuart he was in a coma like state with his head in traction, until the doctors were able to analyze the extent of the damage suffered. Stuart had no brain damage, but he suffered the worst injury the sport world has ever seen.
“The level of Stuart’s injury at the top of the spinal cord eliminating all voluntary movement in the limbs and trunk including the muscles of breathing is the worst cord injury which can occur in sport,” said Dr. Fred Middleton, a leading consultant in spinal cord injury.
Six months on Stuart is extremely positive, given the monumental challenge he has to face and the grim prognosis regarding his condition. He hasn’t recovered any movement or sensation below the level of his neck and he relies on a ventilator to breathe and his carers for all his physical needs.
Stuart grew up in Fermoy, where his parents still live, and he went to St. Colman’s College. He graduated with a Law degree from UCC in Cork and has a Masters in European Business from Ecole Superieure de Commerce, Paris.
Stuart would have had a bright future in the banking world, having been offered a contract on the trading floor with BNP Paribas in London. He also enjoyed sports and travelling and spoke five foreign languages.
The devastating spinal injury that Stuart suffered means that he must receive expensive 24-hour care for the rest of his life. At the time of his greatest need, Stuart needs your help.
Any contribution, no matter how small, would make a difference to his future. For financial contributions you can send any donation via Internet banking to Stuart Mangan Trust A/C No: 17569101, Sort Code: 93-60-81, Address: AIB Bank, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co Cork.
Published:
Thursday 9th October 7:18pm
