Ex-Wallaby Richard Tombs walks on beach in Manly just 18 months after spinal injury
Footy legend Richard Tombs, who suffered a life changing spinal injury, was the centre of attention in Manly this weekend as he walked across the beach with the help of two mates.
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Ex-Wallaby Richard Tombs, who was left in a wheelchair after a freak soccer accident, was the centre of attention as he took careful steps across the beach at the weekend with the help of two mates.
Amazed fans and well-wishers at a charity event at Shelly Beach congratulated him on his progress, delighted to see him on two feet.
The sporting world was left in shock after the 52-year-old footy legend suffered a C4 incomplete spinal injury while standing in as a goalie at an over-35s soccer match 18 months ago.
At first the Narrabeen father-of-three was completely confined to a wheelchair, unable to move all of his limbs and do even simple things like use a phone, computer or to feed himself without help.
He was also diagnosed with spasticity, meaning all his muscles became permanently turned on.
But after months of hard work, rehab and a big dose of determination he’s now able to walk for short periods of time, with help, and he can use his arms, although he lacks strength.
“My problem is not so much paralysis but spasticity of the muscles,” Mr Tombs said.
“They contract and fight each other.
“I am toned, but I don’t have strength. It is deceiving.
“I continue to improve but not as quickly as I would like.
“Although I am not sure whether it is my condition that is improving or I’m getting a better understanding of my condition and how to manage it and work on it.”
Mr Tombs said he doesn’t generally walk in public as it is not very functional and therefore most people see him in a wheelchair.
But he does walk at home with crutches and he had been doing so for around nine months now.
He said the first time he walked in public was at a gala event last year which wowed everyone who was there.
Mr Tombs has set up Guns Out Spinal Foundation to raise funds for research into spasticity caused by a spinal cord injury.
He said he devotes most of his week to working on his body.
He goes to the gym two to three times a week, the pool one or two times, and sees an osteopath, acupuncturist and podiatrist.
He’s also back at work at a medical company in Belrose two days a week and actively taking part in community events, including the Manly Inflatable Boat Race which he did with his soccer mates from Curl Curl FC on Sunday.
Together they raised more than $600 for a charity seeking a cure for cancer.
Privately in his group he also used the event to raise funds for his foundation in the hope that any breakthrough could help him and others.
“There’s no cure for my condition,” he said.
“I don’t know whether I will improve further or not.
“I have ups and downs and if I am unable to get to all my medical appointments it impacts me physically and then emotionally.
“I need to keep up with the routine every week or I fall into a hole.
“But mentally I’m pretty strong.”
He said his wife Carissa and the couple’s three daughters Latika, Talani and Ukiesha have been a great support and he had a good circle of friends behind him.
The next fundraiser for Mr Tombs is the Tombsy Cup at Cromer Park, which is a seven-a-side soccer event for juniors and adults on March 21. The funds will go to supporting his medical care. There will be drinks, food, music, prizes and raffles.
For details of the event or to support his foundation go to: gunsout.org