#riseforalex
Talented NRL footballer Alex McKinnon, 22, has been in the media spotlight for the last two weeks, after suffering a potential career ending injury during the Newcastle Knights' Round 3 away game against the Melbourne Storm. Scan results the following day showed that McKinnon has fractured his C4 and C5 vertebrae. With under a minute left until half time, McKinnnon charged at the line and was wrapped up by Jesse and Kenneth Bromwich, before Jordan McLean brought him to the ground with a low, driving effort. McKinnon, bent head first towards the ground, hit the turf 'with more than 400kg of man fall squarely on his neck'.
This incident has caused much discussion within the entire national rugby league community, with hundreds of people taking to social media to extend their opinions, convey what punishment should be delivered by the judiciary and how the injury could have been so easily avoided. The immense discussion and concern from the community, as well as organizations such as Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), that has arisen from this incident has forced the NRL to consider new rules such as banning or refining lift tackles.
McKinnon received surgery lest Wednesday and was awoken from his medically induced coma on Sunday. He is able to breath on his own and talk to his family. The Knights have released a statement reminding that his body is still in the first phase of recovery, however he does have movement in his right arm. The statement also said that even though uncertainty remains in the extent of further recovery, as the doctors explained any regeneration and recovery could be up to two years, it is important to not give up hope.
News outlets, news broadcasts, Twitter and Facebook groups have reported frequently on this story since it occurred, however Channel 9 is in hot water over sensationalized reports were published. The network released information on Monday claiming McKinnon's doctors has confirmed the 22 year old would be a quadriplegic and that it was unlikely the young man would walk again. The story created a public frenzy and soon other outlets were publishing the information first reported by Channel 9.
This churnalism- articles that have not been re-written from the initial story or even had details checked for accuracy- has caused disappointment amongst the McKinnon family, the Newcastle Knights and the NRL community. In the statement mentioned before, the Knights wrote, "The club is extremely disappointed in the sensationalized television news story on Monday night about this tragic situation. One of the most important factors for Alex at this time is hope, which was jeopardized by this report."
A quadriplegic is someone who has no movement in both arms and both legs. Although it is still far too early to determine the extent of the damage or the recovery period needed, McKinnon reportedly has movement in his right arm- he is not a quadriplegic. In incidents like this, hope should never be lost. The incorrect information that was published could be seen as an insult to the family and seriously dent the slow progress being made. Hope, however, was not all that was jeopardized by the false information- although he still may require a wheelchair, the false information was insensitive and untruthful. The story would have also impacted the 3 players involved in the tackle, especially Jordan McLean. The 22 year-old Storm forward was tonight charged with a 7 week ban for a dangerous throw, although this may be appealed.
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Wishing Alex a full recovery. Thoughts and prayers to both him and his family.
The video of the incident can be found on YouTube, out of respect the link/ clip will not be posted here. Messages of support can be sent to knights@newcastleknights.com.au and information regarding donations will be updated by the club at a later date.
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