Benjamin Millar
Family and friends are rallying to the support of Melton footballer Dyson Stevens as he begins the long road to recovery from a serious neck injury.
Dyson Stevens received the injury during the first quarter of the Bloods’ Ballarat Football League clash against Darley on May 8, with the game stopping for close to an hour while he was treated by paramedics on the ground.
He was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital and placed in an induced coma after damaging his C4 vertebrae and shattering his C5 bone, causing severe damage to his spinal cord.
Stevens emerged from the coma and spent a week in the intensive care unit of the Austin Hospital followed by a fortnight in recovery in the spinal ward.
His younger sister Ebony Stevens said he was moved to The Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre on June 1, where he will spend significant time relearning, training and preparing his body for his life outside of hospital.
“Unfortunately, during this difficult time, COVID-19 has also removed any visitors to see him,” she said.
Ms Stevens has organised an online fundraiser to raise funds to try and pay for all things her brother requires to adapt to his new lifestyle when he finally arrives home.
“We want to give him everything he needs to live the best quality life possible, given the new challenges he will be faced with,” she said.
“We need your support to bring my big brother home.”
Ms Stevens described her brother as a passionate sportsman, fitness fanatic, and a disciplined and hard working person you could always count on.
“He lights up the room with his infectious energy and has a heart of gold – he is simply an amazing person.”
Further details: gofundme.com/do-it-for-dyson
