It’s nearly the end of the year and for some of us it has been a good year – for others, not so good. In April Ricky Bannister had a fall from his horse in a schooling session and has spent the months since in a hospital bed as a quadriplegic
Despite this tragic news Ricky, who became a father for the first time in September, is focussing on the future and is working hard to recover the use of his arms. In a news report on Channel 7 last week Ricky said
"It was like slow motion when it happened, there was no pain, I didn't feel any pain," Ricky said recalling the freak accident.
"As I hit the ground I felt the horse land on top of me," he said. "My arms were bending in a way that they shouldn't be and I couldn't feel my legs straight away. I knew something was up."
It’s great to see Ricky again in this video thanks to Channel 7 (may only work in certain Internet browsers)
When Ricky goes home there will be the need to have constant care and renovations to the house to make it suitable for Ricky's needs. Ricky had no insurance and the ongoing care will be expensive and ongoing brother so fundraisers have been organised. A fundraiser was held by the eventing community in June and now Ricky’s brother Jordan, a former AFL player turned senior umpire, is organising a fundraising night at Etihad Stadium on November 15th.
Hosted by Stephen Quatermaine, guest stars include Daryl Braithwaite, Dave Hughes, Matthew Lloyd and Brendan Fevola and there will be a fabulous auction including a Jeep Compass 4WD.
Find out more about the evening or how to donate to the Ricky Bannister fund here
