Joseph Ritchie: Father who suffered serious spinal injury in rugby match showing positive signs in hospital

A Perth father who fractured his spine when a scrum collapsed during a rugby union match is showing positive signs as he continues a “long road” to recovery in hospital.

Joseph Ritchie, 43, was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with injuries including a fractured C3 vertebrae and trauma to his spinal cord when a scrum collapsed during the first half of a third-grade match between Nedlands Rugby and Joondalup Brothers Rugby Club on June 21.

In a video address from his hospital bed posted on Tuesday, Mr Ritchie, affectionally known as “Peanut,” said he was regaining some feeling throughout his body following the horror incident.

“Hey guys, Peanut here, just wanted take a time to make this video to update everyone on my progress,” the father-of-five said.

“I still have pains and numbness, pins and needles in my arms and legs, but this has not stopped me from having mobility in my arms and my shoulders, which is very very promising.

“I have got feeling in my core, and in some state(s). . . I’m able to stabilise myself when I’m sitting on the side of the bed.

“Just with an update on what I can do . . . I’m able to move my hand and my thumb, which in just the last couple of days has happened, which is cool, it’s a bit of motivation.

“And I’m able to move my toes in my left foot, which i’ll attach a video (of) . . . obviously everyone will be excited looking at my toes.”

Mr Ritchie said he still had a long road ahead, but that the positive signs of recovery were “motivating” and gave his family “a lot of hope and belief to carry on through”.

He thanked both the rugby community and his wider network for their support following the injury.

“The support that we have been given from not only the rugby community, but our friends and family, has been absolutely amazing,” he said.

“And lastly, I just want to say, thank you to my partner Kelly, who is an absolute rock, and has been the rock of this family for a long time.

“In these circumstances she has just risen, and I can’t say how much I love her and appreciate her so much.”

An online fundraiser, which can be found here, has raised a whopping $40,000 to support his family, which has been contributed to by people across Australia and New Zealand.

Nedlands Rugby, in a statement posted online, described Mr Ritchie as “a loyal teammate, and a friend to so many” in the wake of his injury at Sir Charles Court Reserve, in Crawley.

“Since moving from New Zealand to Perth in 2009, he’s built a life centred around family, hard work, and community. Now, that life has been turned upside down,” it said.

“What’s clear is that the months ahead will be incredibly tough — emotionally, physically, and financially.

Mr Ritchie is expected to be transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital this week where he will continue his rehabilitation.