Chch teen aims for Paralympic gold
A bad fall on the rugby field left Cody Everson paralysed, but he has not let disability stop him from pursuing a sporting career.
Everson was 15 and playing for the Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XV when a tackle went wrong in a match against Christ’s College in 2011. ‘‘It was the first two minutes of the game – my first touch on the ball. I just sort of fell wrong and my neck bent in the wrong position.’’
He could not move his body and felt severe pins and needles ‘‘from head to toe’’.
He did not know how serious the situation was until he arrived at Christchurch Hospital and found his parents already waiting for him. ‘‘I told my coach as I was getting into the ambulance that I’d be back at half time.’’
He underwent surgery and spent the next 17 hours wearing a ‘‘halo’’ – a 35-kilogram device to keep his neck straight.
The Christchurch teenager had suffered a break to his fifth cervical vertebra, causing tetraplegia and meaning he could no longer use his legs or move his fingers.
He spent nine days in intensive care, then the next51⁄ undergoing rehabilitation at Burwood Hospital, but was told early on that he would never walk again.
‘‘I try not to dwell on the nega- tives, though. A lot people feel sorry for us, but we’re still getting on with it and doing our thing,’’ he said. ‘‘You shouldn’t feel sorry, it’s just an unfortunate accident. It’s what you do afterwards that defines it, really.’’
With the help of his family and friends, the now 19-year-old was able to stay positive and took up wheelchair rugby as soon as he could.
He became a member of the national Wheel Blacks team in April – the youngest player on the 11-strong squad – and had already played against several teams overseas, including in a four-nation tournament in Japan in May.
‘‘That was my dream – to play for the All Blacks. That’s not going to happen, but it’s good to be in a team again and represent my country.’’
Everson was now focused on the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge in England in October – held to coincide with the Rugby World Cup – and hoped to make it to the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.
‘‘I really want [the Wheel Blacks] to qualify and go to the Paralympics – that’s really the pinnacle of our sport. I think we’ve got the potential to do it.’’
The New Zealand Wheel Blacks rely on donations to compete overseas. To donate visit www.wheelblacks.com