A young Galway dad has had his life turned upside down after a sneeze led to a horror injury giving him the back of a 90-year-old man.
It was in July last year when 36-year-old Adrian Gordon sneezed and felt his back pop, leading to a horrific six months of non-stop pain.
The sneeze had popped a disc in his back and caused inoperable nerve damage, meaning he can no longer walk unaided.
The dad-of-two was once a soccer goalie and avid sports fan, but is now forced to use a walking frame due to the injury and is being fitted for a wheelchair.
Since the injury he has been diagnosed with disc degeneration disease, which has left his family devastated.
Adrian is father to two young children, including a 15-month old, whom he shares with his wife Ciara.
A fundraiser has now been set up for Adrian’s support with Galway people being asked to rally around the family.
The fundraiser read: “The speed of the deterioration is frightening. He now uses a walking frame to get around and is being fitted for a wheelchair. Life for Adrian and is family has changed dramatically.
“There appears to be no answer to the current situation for Adrian. He has had numerous falls, A&E visits, hospital stays and life is a daily struggle of finding the supports needed to help. Doctors have told him he has the back of a 90 year old man.
“Life is short and the goal for Adrian is to get his power wheelchair to try ease to the pain and give him some independence to try enjoy life as much as he can with his wife and active kids. Instead of being able to get around and play with his kids the best he can do is sit and watch them grow.
“From a life where he was so active, a soccer goalie and avid sports fan he’s now in constant pain and a faces a life of heavy medication. Adrian had set up a catering business delivering meals to those in isolation over lockdown and had a growing bakery business supplying cookies and cakes.
“He was looking forward to growing his business after the purchase of a company van, he now had to sell. He is now on the lookout for a car or van capable for carrying a wheelchair if he is to get anywhere.
“Adrian can’t walk unaided, he can’t drive, he can’t work so his business is gone, and he can’t even lift his kids to kiss them good night. Adrian is facing massive change, not only with pain management and immobility, but his whole surroundings need to be adapted for ramps, doors widened and plenty more.
“Adrian’s wife Ciara is now his full time carer. The family want to get back to as much normality as possible. It will be a long road and while Adrian might never play a 5 a side again he hopes that he might one day be able to take his son to a match or even bring his daughter to school unaided. These simple things are a while away yet but the family are determined to write their own story.
“We as a community want to support Adrian, his wife, and his kids as best we possibly can. This could happen any of us, life can change so fast, so we ask you to please support and give what you can.”
The fundraiser has so far raised over €3,000 with an aim to get to €10,000.
You can donate to the fundraiser for Adrian here.