Quade Cooper touched by courage of scrum collapse victim Conor Tweedy

QUADE Cooper has paid a visit to the bedside of young scrum collapse victim Conor Tweedy, posting a touching tribute to the injured teen.

Quade Cooper visits Conor Tweedy in hospital. Picture: Instagram

• Injured rugby teen: ‘He’s trying his backside off’
• Terrace prop has spinal surgery

QUADE Cooper has been touched by the courage and positive attitude of scrum collapse victim Conor Tweedy after making a special visit to support the teenager in hospital.

The gesture from the former Wallaby was lauded as “very impressive” by Tweedy’s father Sean because it came after Cooper had earlier got behind the youngster’s fight with an Instagram post after the tragic accident on July 21.

Young Tweedy, 16, has good movement in his head and neck but is fighting for feeling in his arms and legs after sustaining a major spinal cord injury.

The young Gregory Terrace prop has been in Princess Alexandra Hospital since arriving by ambulance, under police escort, after a scrum collapsed during his Second XV game against Brisbane Boys’ College.

The scrum collapse caused a fracture dislocation and spinal cord injury at C4-C5, resulting in weakness and paralysis of the muscles in the arms and legs as well as those required for breathing.

Father Sean says the degree of Conor’s recovery will play out over six to nine months.

“If his muscle function doesn’t improve he will be in an electric wheelchair, however, we know improvement is also a possibility and it remains possible he will walk out,” Mr Tweedy said.

The best care and optimal outcomes require significant funding for equipment, therapy and personal support.

“Asking for support like this doesn’t come easily or naturally for us, but Conor is our boy and although we cannot take away the tough journey ahead of him, we want to do everything we can to help him be as good as he can be,” Mr Tweedy said.

The Brisbane hospital visit left a strong impression on Cooper for the power of young Tweedy’s positive thinking.

“I was fortunate enough to spend some time hanging out with @conor_tweedy,” Cooper posted on his Instagram account.

“I realised pretty quickly the strength and courage of this young man and that alone was nothing short of inspirational, considering the challenges that he is facing.

“Your attitude is infectious and I left feeling like a stronger person, thanks to you! I know every person lucky enough to meet you will feel the exact same way.”

“PS: That @southsrugby jersey looks amazing on you ♥”

Tweedy’s father Sean was a premiership-winning lock for University but support for his son has come in all colours of the club rugby spectrum because Wallaby Samu Kerevi, another Souths player, visited him last week.

“Conor is conducting himself in a manner way beyond his years and when the doctors ask him to move this and that, he’s trying his backside off,” Mr Tweedy said.

“His great attitude is really something that everyone is seeing in him.

“Little things have changed which are positives but day-to-day is too fine a timescale for an injury like this. We are in it for the long haul.”

With wry humour, Tweedy wished Kerevi well on Instagram with his own rehabilitation after biceps surgery.

“So rewarding to take the time out of my day and make Kerevi’s dream come true — meeting a rugby legend,” young Tweedy posted.

“Best of luck with your arm brother, keep the rehab up.”

Leading Wallaby David Pocock has also posted a supportive message to Tweedy while Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley offered his support as well.

“The support has been wonderful and has been such a lift for Conor,” Tweedy senior said.

A trust has been set up for tax-deductible donations, through the Australian Sports Foundation, to help with Conor’s rehabilitation.

More information on Conor’s progress can be found here.

All donations go into a trust for Conor via fundraising partner, the Australian Sports Foundation.