SNN_July 2021 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 22
Crusaders Experience
Shona McGrath-Proctor writes about attending her first Crusaders game
The Crusaders are great supporters of the NZ Spinal Trust.
Having always loved and enjoyed sport to a
high level, I was devastated when a mountain
bike manoeuvre went wrong and I became a
complete T5 paraplegic.
I was so excited when Brett Ladbrook offered me tickets to
see the Crusaders play live. This would be a first for me;
usually I watch rugby only on television. Luckily my son
had come up from Queenstown for the weekend, so he
was able to join me.
The rugby outing was also my first trip out of the Burwood
Spinal Unit, while I was excited, I was also a tad nervous.
Brett and Meika Reid from the NZ Spinal Trust Peer
—Shona McGraph-Proctor
The whole opportunity of
going to see a Crusaders
game live is something I will
remember for a long time.
Support Team were just awesome and kept checking up on
us. I managed to wheel myself through all the car parks,
entrances and people—it was such a confidence booster!
The rugby game was amazing—being so close to the
action was an awesome opportunity to see the skills and
power of the players. It was a bit teeth-clenching at times
hearing the impact of the tackles made by the players and
it made me appreciate how strong rugby players are.
The whole opportunity of going to see a Crusaders game
live is something I will remember for a long time. From
the music, those beautiful horses and mid game action all
made for a fantastic entertainment package.
Shona says attending the Crusaders rugby game
was great for her confidence.
I would like to thank the Crusaders franchise for their
generosity in providing the Burwood Spinal Unit donated
seats. It was such a boost to my mental health whilst
going through the start of my rehabilitation journey. In
fact, I was so hooked, I returned for a second game, a
couple of weeks later.