Roger Addison facts for kids
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| Birth name | Roger Addison | ||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 1945 | ||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pontypool, Wales | ||||||||||||
| Date of death | March 2010 (aged 65) | ||||||||||||
| Place of death | Cardiff, Wales | ||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||
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Roger Addison was a talented rugby player from Wales. He played as a 'prop' (a strong player in the front row) and even represented Wales when he was young. He also played for a club team called Pontypool RFC. Sadly, during a game in 1966, he had a serious neck injury. This accident meant he couldn't move his body. He spent over 40 years in the hospital after this incident.
Roger's Early Life
Roger grew up in a place called Trevethin. This is a part of Pontypool in Wales. He had five sisters and one brother. His father, James, was also a rugby player. He played for Pontypool RFC and Newport RFC. Roger went to Twmpath Secondary School.
Roger's Rugby Career
Roger started his rugby journey with Pontypool RFC. He played in the 'prop' position. This is a key role in the front of the scrum. He was so good that he played for the Welsh youth team. In March 1964, his team beat France 9–6.
He made his first senior appearance for Pontypool in the same month. His team won that game against Oxford 6–0. Roger was just 21 years old when a terrible accident happened. On November 5, 1966, he was playing against Rugby Lions. During a scrum (when players push against each other), Roger broke his neck. This happened only 15 minutes into the game.
The injury left him unable to move his body. He also swallowed a piece of chewing gum. It got stuck in his throat. The club doctor, John O'Hanlon, quickly performed an emergency tracheotomy. This is a medical procedure to create an opening in the windpipe. It helped Roger breathe on the field.
Before his injury, Roger had played 79 games for Pontypool. He had also scored seven tries.
Life After the Injury
After the accident, Roger was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Doctors told him he had quadriplegia. This means he couldn't move his arms or legs. Doctors first thought he would only live for three weeks. But Roger was strong. He lived in the hospital for 44 more years.
Players and staff from Pontypool RFC visited him often. Roger spent several years at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Later, he moved to Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff. This move allowed him to be closer to his family. In 2005, he moved again to the University Hospital of Wales. Roger Addison passed away there in March 2010. He was 65 years old.
