STAR OWEN’S BABY NEWS JOY
OWEN Williams has revealed he is about to become a dad – some six years on from suffering a catastrophic spinal injury.
The former Welsh international’s partner, Kirsty, is expecting their first child next month.
Williams, 29, confirmed the news at the annual Stay Strong For Ows lunch at Cardiff Arms Park.
A video was played at the event, which showed him giving a tour of his fully accessible home in Aberdare and delivering an update on how he is getting on.
The four-times capped ex-Cardiff Blues centre also talked about the impending happy event.
“It’s amazing news,” he said.
“It’s crazy to think in March I am going to be a father.
“It’s been a bit of a crazy, rollercoaster two years, but it’s great news and I just can’t wait for March to come now and for her to be born.”
Williams revealed there will have to be a few changes around the house when the baby arrives.
“I like my memorabilia. I’m a big boxing fan and I’ve got some boxing stuff up on the wall,” he said.
“I’m sure when the baby comes, my missus will make me take it all down and cover it with baby photos.
“But it’s good while it lasts, innit?” he added tongue-in-cheek.
The video showed the inside of his house, which was built by WD Lewis Homes and financed by the Blues and the Stay Strong For Ows fundraising campaign. That campaign saw a number of events, including long-distance bike rides and dinners, while Blues supporter Gavin Lewis swam the English Channel in an epic 15-hour effort.
Fellow rugby players around the world showed their support – with the ‘O’ finger-shape in his honour sweeping the game, while former team-mates played a big part in backing the campaign.
It all culminated in Williams moving into his purpose-built property in his home town of Aberdare, which he says has made a big difference to his life.
“The house is amazing,” he said. “It
really is a massive help having a house fully accessible for me. It’s great for my independence.
“When it was being built, it was a big thing for me knowing I had the house to look forward to, to be back close to my family.
“It was a massive pressure off them as well and a massive boost for me.
“WD Lewis built the house, they have done a fantastic job, but without all the support I had after my accident, none of this would have been possible really.
“The Blues have stuck by me throughout, from visits early on and the plans for the future. They have been a massive help, a big drive in getting the house built for me, the dinners every year, the bike rides that have been happening, they have just been a massive support.
“So I will always be grateful, my family will be grateful for everything.”
As well as the boxing memorabilia, the walls of his home are also covered with rugby mementos, including team pictures, Blues and Wales jerseys and his Welsh cap.
The house, which he moved into towards the end of 2016, also features a multi-gym where he is able to work out.
“It’s a pretty good set-up,” he said. “I have got my multi-gym for my strength work, the hand bike to keep my fitness up, making sure I’m not getting too fat, and then it’s just some weights to train with.
“It’s a big part of my life, training, it always has been. Even before linking up with the Blues, I always loved going to the gym and training.”
It was while playing for the Blues in the World Club Tens out in Singapore back in the summer of 2014 that he sustained serious spinal damage in a freak incident which was to leave him paralysed from the chest down and wheelchair-bound.
He suffered significant damage to his cervical vertebrae and spinal cord, leaving him with no feeling in his legs or torso and just limited sensation in his arms.
It’s the kind of tragic misfortune which might easily make a person bitter towards the game of rugby and life in general, and resentful at the hand fate has dealt them.
But the way Williams has coped with his situation has been a true inspiration and his positive outlook is an example to all.
He now has movement in both arms and is able to drive a specially configured car through hand controls.
“I’m doing really well,” he said. “It’s crazy to think that in June it will be six years since my accident.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster journey, but all in all I’m doing really good.”
Williams says the support he received from so many people following his accident was a huge lift.
“It’s been humbling at times. It was sometimes quite emotional to see the lengths people went to for a bit of fundraising for me,” he said.
“It meant a hell of a lot and I will always be really grateful.
“When I think about it, it blows my mind really, the support I’ve had.
“When I was in Rookwood [Hospital], I was having cards from different places, different countries, people saying they are behind me and if I needed anything or needed help they are always there for me.
“I was getting messages from families who had gone through similar scenarios themselves. They were offering support, anything they could do.
“Like I say, it’s just been really humbling and I’m so grateful. The rugby community has done so much for me.
“I have really come to see who my deepest friends are, while my family have always been here for me, staying positive around me.”
Williams has also revealed how he has become involved with disabled sport.
“I linked up with Disability Sport Wales going back two, two-and-ahalf years ago,” he said.
“It was just to see what sports I could get involved with and it’s something I’ve cracked on with for the past two years.
“I’ve done a bit of travelling with them and we’ll see where it goes now.”
The Stay Strong For Ows Benevolent Trust dinner at the Arms Park attracted some of the biggest names in Welsh rugby, with 1970s greats like JPR Williams and John Taylor alongside current stars like Josh Navidi and Ellis Jenkins, with John Inverdale acting as host.
There was also a guest appearance by former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards, who is now part of the France coaching set-up.
He took time out from preparing for today’s big Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium to speak at the event.
The dinner will raise valuable funds for the Benevolent Trust, which has been set up by the Blues to support any player or administrator at a club in the region who suffers catastrophic injury through rugby and to provide a platform for volunteers who want to raise funds for them.
“Stay Strong for Ows was massive for me and my family after my injury,” said Williams. “So it’s great to see the Blues have set up the Benevolent Trust. “For anyone within the region who is struggling or goes through a catastrophic injury like what happened to me, it’s great that the Trust is in place to be able to support them from the start.
“I know how it helped me and supported me in being where I am today. “It’s something I would love to get behind and watch it grow, so it’s there to support people in the future.
“I know how much fundraising has really supported me and my family.
“It’s great to be involved in the Trust and help out people who are going through similar to what I went through. I know how much of a help a donation can be and how much of a relief it can be.”
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster two years, but it’s great news and I just can’t wait for her to be born... Owen Williams