Chelsea fan paralysed after horror injury in MIRACLE recovery – 'I can feel a flicker'
A CHELSEA fan left paralysed by an injury playing football is making a miracle recovery to compete in the Paralympics.
Posted Sunday, March 24, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
REHAB: Chris working hard (Pic: TWITTER)
Chris Keogh got best wishes from Jose Mourinho and top Blues players when he dislocated his neck playing football.
He jumped for a header, playing for AFC Ewell against Merton Social FC, on April 14th last year, and landed badly.
But the 28-year-old, who is still in touch with Peter Crouch who enquires about his progress, has now regained some feeling in his legs as he battles to take part in the Paralympics.
Chris underwent a six-hour operation at St George’s Hospital in London and was told he needed a “miracle” if he was to walk again.
FAN: Chris with his favourite player Hazard (Pic: TWITTER)
He may not be walking yet but he has regained some feeling in his legs thanks to undergoing intense rehab.
"I was told that I had a complete injury which meant that my spinal column doesn’t function,” Chris told Daily Star Online.
"I’ve been doing full rehab and now I have been told that it is incomplete so there is some connection there which gives me a chance.
"I’ve started to feel a flicker in my feet.
POSING: He went to watch Chelsea training (Pic: TWITTER)
NICEST: Chris said Kante was a lovely bloke (Pic: TWITTER)
(Pic: TWITTER)
He may not be walking yet but he has regained some feeling in his legs thanks to undergoing intense rehab.
"I was told that I had a complete injury which meant that my spinal column doesn’t function,” Chris told Daily Star Online.
"I’ve been doing full rehab and now I have been told that it is incomplete so there is some connection there which gives me a chance.
"I’ve started to feel a flicker in my feet.
(Pic: TWITER)
"At the moment I’m focusing on getting on my two feet and I’m looking to take part in the Spinal Cord Games.”
Chris, from Redhill, Surrey, received video messages from Jose Mourinho and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, and other sports stars as he fought to recover.
He has also been down to watch Chelsea train and see the players.
"It was the best day of my life to go see them and I was looked after really well,” said Chris.
"Hazard is by far my favourite player and I got to speak to him as well as Kante who really is the nicest guy you are going to meet.”
(Pic: TWITTER)
A beanpole striker at 6ft 6in, he has had support from a player with a similar build and style of play.
"Peter Crouch is still in touch with me asking how I am doing, he sent me a message only a few weeks ago,” continued Chris.
A GoFundMe website was set up to help finance Chris’s rehabilitation and they have now reached the target of £40,000.
He said: “It’s amazing, I have been able to get a new wheelchair that allows me to get in and out of the car.
"I’ve been able to do several rehab programmes that are only available privately and I have had a new adapted shower and kitchen.”
HOSPITAL: Chris begins his road to recovery (Pic: TWITTER)
He is now preparing for the Inter Spinal Unit Games next month with the 2024 Paralympics the ultimate goal.
"It is a chance to try out different sports like wheelchair basketball and archery to see which I am good at,” he said.
"The Paralympics is the aim further down the line when I know which sports I am strong at.
"I’ve met some great people in rehab who I can speak to and have lunch with. There are a couple of guys who are also very sporty and I go with them to the gym or play table tennis.
"They are also going to do the Spinal Unit Games.”
- Tag:
- Chris Keogh
- Chelsea
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