NZ Spinal Trust Aids Samoan Rugby Player

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NZ Spinal Trust Aids Samoan Rugby Player

At the beginning of 2010, Ben Lei’a (22) was selected for the emerging Manu Samoa youth rugby squad then in January he suffered a horrific neck fracture during a training run for a forthcoming tour of New Zealand, which has left him a life-long tetraplegic.

Ben has no feeling below his upper chest, and can only move his neck and head. Right now Ben spends most of his days laying on his back looking at four walls and a ceiling.

Touched by his plight Spinal Consultant Raj Singhal and Clinical Nurse Specialist Maria van den Heuvel from the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch will fly to Samoa on July 13th for 5 days at their own expense to help this young man.

Ben recently had a short time in his home, but due to health complications had to return to hospital. The real danger now is bed sores, and with no proper electronic bed for his care, this danger is greatly increased. In the hot climate, once he contracted bed sores, they would be extremely difficult to heal.

There is no financial aid to take him off-shore for rehabilitation, and even if there was, it would be questionable as to whether the benefits would out-weigh the value of living in his village amongst his family who love him and want to care for him. Donate now to help Ben via the NZ Spinal Trust website http://www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz

The NZ Spinal Trust is also collecting consumables and equipment as well as raising funds to give him the best quality of life we possibly can. The best way we can do that is by helping him return to his family with the best possible equipment to support his safe and sustainable care.

A considerable amount of consumables and equipment have already been donated and thanks to the teams at Post Haste and Mainfreight, it is now arriving at the staging post in Christchurch. However more is required, so get in touch with the NZ Spinal Trust (debzm@nzspinaltrust.org.nz or 03 387 1305) if you think you can help. Also the NZ Air Force have agreed to transport all of the cargo to Samoa so the more items that can be collected, the better.

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