TRUST AIMS TO FUND SPINAL INJURY WORK
ACCOMPLISHED rugby player Paul-André Blundell was just 26 years old when a freak tackle left him paralysed from the chin down. Despite making good progress in his spinal rehabilitation and moving from his hospital bed to a wheelchair, he died suddenly and unexpectedly from a blood clot in his lung in 2002.
Ever since the tragedy his heartbroken parents have campaigned to develop new treatments for spinal injury patients.
His mum Gerri Blundell, from Whitchurch, Cardiff, said her son’s bravery and positive attitude were an inspiration to everyone who knew him.
“His joyous, busy, active life was cruelly cut short,” she said.
“He was a strong, young, charismatic man who was doing every sport imaginable – then suddenly he found himself paralysed and unable to even speak.
Paul-André, who represented Wales in rugby at under-19s level and was affectionately known as “PA”, was playing in a match for Keynsham Rugby Club against Maidenhead in 2001 when the horror tackle took place.
Gerri said: “The Maidenhead game was apparently a grudge match. He came out of the ruck and tried to match them for the ball. There was a bit of a scuffle – he fell down and never came back up.
“Eventually the decision was made to transfer him from John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he had been flown, to a hospital in Salisbury with a specialist spinal rehab facility. “We lived in a bungalow in the hospital for six months and we went to the ward to see him every day at 8.30am,” she said.
“When he was in intensive care he couldn’t talk [because of a tube in his throat to help him breathe] so his only form of communication was by using his eyes.
“He used to mouth things to me and I became an expert at lip reading. I basically ended up being his translator.
“He kept on getting chest infec- tions. For months it was a living nightmare.”
Paul-André, a former Llandaff Cathedral School and Uwic student, died in January 2002 when a blood clot formed in his lung.
His death was mourned by Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys, who was one of his best friends growing up.
Paul-André’s dad Rob and brother Steve set up charity trust PA in his memory, in the hope that breakthroughs will be made in the treatment of spinal injuries.
Its mission is to fund the work which leads to the most beneficial repair treatments.
To date more than £500,000 has been donated by the charity to support ongoing spinal research at University College London (UCL) and King’s College London.
“Spinal cord injury is a truly devastating injury that affects not only the person physically but mentally, and includes their whole family and circle of friends,” said Gerri.
Dr Joanna Longstaffe, clinical director at the Independent General Practice, is a trustee for Trust PA, while actors and friends Matthew Rhys, Ioan Gruffudd and Neil Jackson are patrons.
To donate, or for more information, go to trustpa.com