Rugby player asks for public's help with paralysis recovery

Errol Carter, 28, had been making his debut in Turkey for the Turkey rugby union team on Saturday, April 13, having previously played rugby league professionally for 10 years. 

In the game Errol was passed the ball and attempted to sprint, when both of his legs collapsed suddenly underneath him and he lost all strength, control and sensation, paralysing him temporarily.

The sensation did come back but not without immense pain in Errol's lower back and legs, as well as sporadic numbing. Despite his injury, Errol played the remainder of the game as his team had no substitutions left, unaware of how serious the injury was.

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The following day, Errol flew back to the UK, with the injury getting worse. He called 999 and was told to go to Kings College London Hospital as soon as possible. Errol had a scan before immediately making his way into theatre for surgery.

The scan showed that Errol had a prolapsed disc with a vertebrae also out of place, causing a huge amount of pressure on his spinal column and the nerves inside. He was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).

Errol is a professional rugby league player (Image: Errol Carter)

The surgery Errol underwent was to decompress the spinal cord and relieve pressure on his nerves. If this is not done within the first 24 to 48 hours the chance of permanent paralysis and damage increases massively.

12 days after being admitted to hospital, he was deemed fit for discharge but within 12 hours his health began to rapidly decline. He rang Kings College Hospital and was told to go to A&E immediately yet again. Less than 24 hours after being discharged Errol had to have another MRI, followed by a second emergency surgery for Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).

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After the surgery, Errol was bed-bound unable to move for the first eight days (Image: Errol Carter)

After the surgery, Errol was bed-bound, unable to move for the first eight days and not leaving the bed for 11 days due to the pain. He had sciatica in both legs, both feet were numb, with limited movement and strength and no control of his bladder or bowel. This is still the case at present.

Errol, from Brockenhurst, has set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise funds for private treatment as opposed to the 15-month long waiting list for rehabilitation, to give him the best chance to get back to a 'normal life' - and even possibly return to playing rugby in the future as well.

Errol said: "The first 24 months are so important with these types of injuries, so I want to be proactive in my approach and get started as soon as I can to give myself the best chance of recovery.

"This injury has seriously affected my career and livelihood, so I want to make sure I am doing what I can now in the hope of making a full recovery in the long run.

"If you can support my recovery, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."

To support Errol's GoFundMe, visit gofundme.com/f/errol-carters.