In an encouraging sign as he begins the road to recovery from a fractured spine, Corio co-coach Joel Bennett has been discharged from hospital.
The reigning Whitley medallist was given the green light to return home to be with fiancee Tiffany and children Flynn and Zahli.
Bennett, who has fractures to his C1, C2 and T7 vertebrae, has taken to social media to update his condition and express his gratitude for the support he has received.
“Just really want to say thank you to absolutely everyone who has thought about us, reached out, dropped us off food and other things that we have needed and just checked in on me and my family over the past week to see how we’re going,” he wrote on Facebook.
“It’s been pretty full on with lots of tests, scans and information being thrown at us, and now we have managed to make it out of the hospital and home to go through to the next steps in the journey.
“Thankfully, the tingling feeling on the left side of my body has now gone, and it’s just going to be about getting the pain under control and then starting to build my strength back up in my neck and back.
“It could be a bit of a process, but we’ll get there!”
Bennett paid tribute to the work done by Devils’ head trainer John Groot, who, along with Inverleigh doctor James Shanahan, provided the 26-year-old with initial care.
“To John Groot and all the medical people involved in helping me off the ground, getting (me) comfortable while waiting for an ambulance and then all the doctors/nurses/students who helped me, I just want everyone to know how much I’ve truly appreciated all your help!” he said.
“I’ve been in some great hands the whole time!”
A GoFundMe page to help support the family while Bennett is unable to work his day job as a plumber has already raised $8976 of the $10,000 target set 24 hours ago.
K rock Football understands the family has also received numerous private donations.
“To (the) local sporting community, I’ve been absolutely blown away by your generosity and general kindness toward us,” Bennett wrote.
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have you all in my life; whether we wear the same colours on a Saturday or not, I really can’t thank everyone enough.
“Local sport is an amazing thing when we all come together, and I’ve been lucky enough to feel the love from that this past week!”
X: @krockfootball
