Broken neck keeps player off diamond

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 29, 18 December 1984, Page 13

Broken neck keeps player off diamond

"If it wasn't for Phillip Beer and the softball team I would have died," said Rauna Te Huia, of Raetihi. Rauna broke her neck playing softball several months ago and nearly died, but amazingly she is already partly mobile. The softball team did. not move her before Phillip Beer, the ambulance driver arrived. She was then put on an airbed and taken to Wanganui Hospital, then to Wellington. She stayed in Wellington Hospital for two weeks, where her husband, Wayne, nursed her, after learning what to do from nurses and physiotherapists. He learned to exercise Rauna's arms and legs and also applied physio-massage. "Everyone thought he was working at the hospital," said Rauna. Wayne is not going back to work until Rauna can walk again. He is a truck driver and luckily will still have a job when he does go back. Wayne has been doing everything from looking after their four children to cooking and cleaning. Because of her accident, it

meant that Rauna and Wayne could not accompany their son, Wayne Thomas, to Australia. Wayne junior was selected to join a team of nine New Zealand drivers to compete at the Pacific School Games in Melbourne from 23-30 November. "We always follow our kids in sports, it's the first time he's been without us." Wayne came fifth in his class at the games — quite an achievement for a boy who gets few chances to practice. The family is very sports orientated. All the Te Huia children are encouraged by their parents to participate in sports. Rauna has been trying to think of a sport she can play while she recovers. She sometimes goes to watch other people playing. "But it hurts me to sit and watch the women's team because I'm used to being on the diamond." Rauna will have her neck brace removed in seven months time and is optimistic about being able to do some of the things she used to do ... "I'm very determined," she adds. Rosalind Donald