Reply With QuoteThose who do not know Charlie Fetoai , should read this, Bob
CHARLIE Fetoai has taken his first halting steps after a spinal shock nearly six days ago which left him fearing he might never walk again.
The tough-tackling Queensland Reds centre is channelling all his trademark spirit and positive thinking into the greatest challenge of his young life.
Doctors at the spinal unit of Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane yesterday told him the injury would rule him out for all of next year's Super 14, yet he still counts himself as one of the lucky ones.
"I pretty much thought I was paralysed," Fetoai said. "I was talking to myself, saying 'move' yet nothing was happening.
"It was scary. I couldn't feel anything - feet, arms, nothing."
The Sunnybank back was bent awkwardly when his high-velocity tackle connected with the hip of a Wests attacker last Saturday at Sylvan Rd. He sustained a cracked C2 vertebra and spinal bruising.
"One of the boys saw a toe wiggling when I was being put in the ambulance. That was the first positive sign," Fetoai said.
"I feel every little muscle working separately. Closing the eyes, touching the nose, the effort to keep my head up ... I'm learning things all over again.
"I thank God I can. Life's a challenge but, hey, I'm up for it every day and that first step out of bed after a week was a great feeling.
"The doc has told me it'll be six months before I can consider weights or running and there'll be no Super 14 for me in 2010 but I'm thinking positive about playing again."
The strength to Fetoai's farewell handshake and his smile were the best possible signs that this fighter will win the long, drawn-out battles ahead so he can make that choice.
Fetoai's Sunnybank teammates, with Mark McLinden at flyhalf, play the local derby against Quade Cooper's Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval in Premier rugby today.
At Bottomley Park, Brothers meet Easts in the final of the State Cup. At Courtney Oval, new Wallaby halfback Will Genia will line up for Norths against Sunshine Coast
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