Paralysed North Wales rugby player writes book
Nov 24 2009 by Hywel Trewyn, Daily Post
A PARALYSED rugby player’s emotional and powerful autobiography details his horrific injuries when a scrum collapsed.The “crack” Bryan Davies, 51, from Bala, suffered playing hooker in his final game against Nant Conwy left him paralysed – without any feeling from the neck down.
Now the brave father of two tells of his painful road back in a new book, Yogi – Mewn Deg Eiliad (In ten seconds) written in Welsh by Elfyn Pritchard.
Bryan said: “While my left shoulder was being raised by the prop my right shoulder was being raised by the hooker, and my head was stuck, down by my legs.
“I heard a crack like the crack of a 12-bore gun and I knew that second I had broken my neck.”
Family, friends and rugby fans across Wales raised over £200,000 for an extension to his home including a wheelchair lift, ramps and hoists.
Bryan, known as Yogi, relies on a ventilator to speak, pumping oxygen through his windpipe after his lungs were damaged.
The accident happened just days after Bryan, his policewoman wife Susan and two children Ilan and Teleri had returned from a holiday in the Caribbean.The book which uses rugby expressions in its different sections moves from Bryan’s memories before and after the accident interspersed with Susan’s. Ilan and Teleri also contribute.
Born in Corwen, Bryan’s family moved to Llangwyfan, near Ruthin and he attended Ysgol Brynhyfryd, but still had Bala’s YYB logo on his uniform. His new schoolmates said it was Ysgol Yogi Bear and it stuck.
After the accident, Bryan talks of suffering pain, spasms, nightmares and depressions both during his 18 months at Southport Hospital and at home and how his hard upbringing helped him fight for his life.
And Bryan describes finally returning to his home in Bala which had to specially adapted for his needs.
He said: “I felt lost and tears flowed down my face. I saw the stairs and thought how many times I’d run up them. I thought I’ll never do that again.
“That’s when the situation hit me worst. I felt empty and didn’t recognise the place. People around me said: ‘You’re all right now, you’re home.’ But I wasn’t all right.
“I sometimes think it would be much less of a strain for Susan and the children if I died. But they are the main reason for living as well, them, the rest of the family and friends.”
Bryan is trying to be positive and hopes a new 4x4 wheelchair will enable him to gain more independence.
The book, published by Lolfa, will be launched at Plas Coch Hotel, Bala
