‘Invisible’ disability after near-fatal rugby accident

NOBODY WOULD have blamed Connor Lynes for mellowing after a rugby accident caused a near-fatal blood clot on his brain almost four years ago.

Instead, the 18-year-old from Hull has battled through two strokes, surgery and, ultimately, an uncertain future to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charities close to his heart – and even earn an audience with royalty.

Connor had dreams of becoming a professional rugby star, and was a key player at Lambwath Lions ARLFC. But in March 2015, he was involved in a nasty tackle which tore an artery in his neck, breaking a clot off which travelled to an artery in his brain, causing a major stroke.

He later suffered another stroke which caused a bleed on his cerebellum.

Although he made a good recovery, some of the original clot remains on his brain, which aunt and carer Sara Lynes said has caused major fatigue and associated tics, depression and anxiety.

She said: “He’s come to accept the injury... and live life the best he can.”

Keen to help others, Connor signed up to volunteer with the NHS and is studying public services at Wilberforce College.

He also set up the Connor Lynes Foundation, channelling £25,000 to charities such as Life For A Kid, of which he is a patron, and trusts helping children with brain injuries.

Miss Lynes said: “He just wants to help others now, the way he was helped.”

Last year, he got the chance to take up rugby again with Wakefield Trinity Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL).

“Connor was a different person when he came out of hospital,” said Miss Lynes. “Now he’s back playing rugby, he’s got that group of friends and they understand him.”

He has been shortlisted for BBC Radio 1’s Teen Awards, received an invite to lunch with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and even has the chance to travel to Australia to train with Gold Coast Titans PDRL players.

Miss Lynes said charities and health services had been very supportive but not other authorities, adding: “When we came out of hospital, there was no support whatsoever. We were sent home to get on with it.

“Connor’s got an invisible disability. People say to him, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you’.”

As he himself puts it, though, he has “a long way to go but I’m getting there day by day and overcoming challenges as best I can”.