Richard Luscombe This is the story of Alex Wood, an incredibly brave 9-year-old, who has shown amazing courage and resilience in his rehabilitation from major brain surgery.
On 22nd September 2020, Alex’s parents got a terrifying call from his school, the type of call no parent wants to receive. Alex had collapsed suddenly and was being flown to a hospital in Southampton.
They were then told the terrifying news that their super-fit, football-loving boy may not make it. Doctors informed the family that Alex had developed a bleed to the brain caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain.
The diagnosis resulted in a then 8-year-old Alex having to face the traumatic ordeal of two major brain operations, one of which lasting over 10 hours! Further devastating news followed as doctors informed the family that Alex may not walk again and would likely never play his beloved football again.
The family, although distraught by the news, were not willing to accept the prognosis and told all the surgeons they would do all they could to support their son. Following the operations, Alex had daily rehab and spent three months in a hospital in Southampton with his mum and dad, miles from family and loved ones. Due to Covid Alex wasn’t allowed to see anyone else.
Alex was released from the hospital and allowed to return to his home in Cornwall on Christmas Eve. Incredibly a brave and resilient Alex walked out of the hospital and hasn’t been in his wheelchair since!
During rehab, Alex would proudly tell the wonderful Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist about his time training at the Plymouth Argyle Centre of Excellence to which they replied, “We have to get you better then – we have a future football star in our care!” and would joke about getting Alex’s autograph.
Throughout this time Alex received letters, cards, video messages and his Charlestown squad helped to raise funds for rehab at home via JustGiving, even sending him kits to show their support!
A year on and the kindness of donations through crowdfunding from friends, family and the kindness of strangers have helped pay for private physio for Alex from January through to today. Alex is still determined to play Premiership football one day and he now attends Charlestown for training twice a week where amazingly he is able to play two-quarters of a match!
Alex spends 2-3 hours every single day doing rehab and is determined to get better.
Everyone at Argyle is amazed and proud of Alex’s determination, courage and spirit. We were delighted to welcome Alex to Home Park Stadium as a matchday mascot for the recent victory over Ipswich Town FC and wish him all the best for his rehabilitation and future football career!
You can help support Alex’s physiotherapy and rehabilitation via the following JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jenny-wood-1?utm_term=9MBa5jvY3
