Former AFL player Kent Butcher has a long road to recovery ahead of him after undergoing “life-saving surgery” last week.
The ex-Collingwood star had a “medical episode” that fractured his C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae and caused central spinal cord damage, from which he lost movement in his body.
Butcher played 22 games for the Magpies in the 1990s before spending a season on Sydney’s list, where he didn’t make a senior appearance.
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A GoFundMe page has been set up by a friend of the Butcher family to raise funds to cover his medical bills and time off work, which will continue indefinitely while he learns to walk again.
“He is slowly regaining some movement and strength post surgery but with a long road to recovery currently up in Melbourne at a specialists hospital,” Kellie Loving said of the Geelong local.
“Kent has to stay in hospital for the next few months for rehab to learn how to get back to a hopefully normal life by learning how to walk and use his hands again
“With his determination, growing up living and breathing the sporting industry, we believe he can do it.
“Your support will help cover Kent’s medical expenses including medications and recovery.
“It will also support daily life expenses being out of work for an unknown amount of time and help relieve financial stress off the family.”
Butcher and his wife are expecting their first grandchild soon.
The 50-year-old came through Geelong’s under 19s and reserves system before Collingwood swooped on him.
Injuries curtailed his progress before his delisting in 1995.
The Swans picked him up the following year.
When he was delisted for a second time, he relocated back home to Geelong, where he went on to have a decorated local footy career.
You can donate to Butcher’s fundraiser here.