JOE Johnston is one of the toughest ever players to pull on the boots for the Shoalhaven first grade rugby union team.
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He now is facing the hardest battle of his life – tougher than anything he ever faced on the footy field.
Johnston, who played most of his career with the Shoals, pulled back on the boots and played a game for Bowral on May 10 this year.
It proved to be a dark day for him.
He clashed heads with a Shamrock s opponent and his brother Michael said things quickly went downhill.
“He said his head was burning and then all of he was down on all fours,” Michael Johnston said.
The response was quick, within seven minutes he was in the back of an ambulance, the ambulance officers, in transit, told the emergency helicopter team to get the craft’s engines started because they had a serious situation on their hands.
He was air-lifted to Liverpool Hospital to undergo brain surgery and he was also placed in an induced coma.
It was a long 10-week stay in hospital for the badly injured rugby player and now his friends will be staging a fundraising golf day on Friday September 12 at the Ex-Servicemen’s Sports Club, Worrigee.
His brother said Joe took delight in proving people wrong when at first it looked like the left side of his body would be paralysed.
Michael said his brother’s renowned mental and physical strength helped him virtually make a full recovery.
However, there was one more blow.
“He has lost the peripheral vision in his eyes and this means he won’t be able to drive a car,” Michael said.
The eye diagnosis is not good but Michael would not be surprised if his brother again defies the odds.
Joe’s family wife Charmaine and children Harry and Chloe have supported him throughout.
“Charmaine has been a tower of strength” Michael said.
Joe’s other family the Shoals footy club have also been supporting their injured warrior.
“I would like to thank Mick Horton, Chad Fraser and Chris Watts for organising the golf day – I have not done a thing,” Michael said.
The golf day will be a three player per team Vegas style ambrose.
Cost is $50 per player which includes breakfast and lunch.
There will be plenty of great prizes and raffles on the day.
Things will be getting organised at 7.30am for an 8am shotgun start.
For more information about becoming a sponsor or donating prizes contact Mick Horton on 0417 440 211 or michael.horton@defence.gov.au and for nominations and sponsors contact Chad Fraser on 0411 162 276 or chad.fraser@live.com.au.
