Royal Rehab Centre – Another moving visit
Northern Sydney Welfare Officers Norm Pounder, Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey paid another rewarding and moving visit to the Royal Rehab Centre, through the excellent co-operation of Jim Towers, Community Relations Manager, to catch up with previously visited patients and some new ones.
As with other visits we were again amazed with the dedication of all of the Centre’s staff and the determination and courage of all patients in the Spinal and Brain Injury Units. On every visit we are naturally always keen to learn of those who have progressed to a stage where they have been able to return home or are nearing that step.
We were delighted to catch up again with Rob Scott and his Dad, Steve from the Northern Beaches area, Sydney. Rob is receiving treatment for head injuries incurred in the USA, when “king hit” and he has been at the Centre for about 15 months. We were delighted with the progress displayed by Rob and it is always a pleasure to meet Steve, who we meet on every visit as he assists in the recovery of Rob.
Image: Fred Jackson, Steve Scott, Norm Pounder and Ken Vessey with Rob Scott.
It is always good to meet new people and we were very pleased to be introduced to a young man and very proud new Dad, Brendan Jones, who told us about his new born son Rory three weeks old. Rory is very special because he is the first child to be born into the Centre’s Brain Injury Unit, where his Mum, Ashley is receiving treatment for serious brain injuries incurred when hit by a passing motor vehicle; when injured Ashley was in the early stages of her pregnancy.
Image: Baby Rory Jones
Brendan hailing from Newcastle was a keen rugby league follower and could not thank their families and friends for the love and support they have given to them. We will obviously see Brendan, Ashley and hopefully Rory on our future visits.
Image: Fred Jackson, Ken Vessey, Brendan Jones, Norm Pounder.
We had a very busy schedule on this visit and had the pleasure to meet/chat with:
· Bill and Jane Murray, Bill was visiting Jane and we took the opportunity to talk about rugby league and he proudly told us about his Father’s, Bill involvement with the South Sydney District RL Football Club on the administration side of the Club in the famous 1950’s-1960’s;
· Robert Richardson was receiving further treatment for a neck injury, suffered some years ago; over the years he has had numerous operations in an effort to heal the injury; he was now retired in lives in the South Coast town of Dalmeny and was a very keen South Sydney “Rabbitoh’s” supporter;
· Shane Tane was receiving rehab treatment in the Spinal Injury Unit and we had a good robust discussion with him about rugby league and wished him all the best in his recovery.
We presented Men of League polo shirts and caps, wishing all a speedy recovery to good health and in return they were appreciative of the gifts and our time.
The Royal Rehab in conjunction with the Ryde Sports Foundation is presenting their Royal Rehab Achievement Awards at a joint awards night in May 2016 at the Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club and we have bought a table to be attended by Northern Sydney Men of League Committee Members and fellow Members.
By Ken Vessey, Welfare Coordinator Northern Sydney Men of League Committee
