The Last Word with Matt Cooper The Challenging Road Back From Injury And Paralysis
Oct 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Fergus Farrell, a former club rugby player and author of Rebuilding a Man, shares his inspiring journey from a life-altering spinal injury to recovery. He recounts the harrowing details of his accident and the initial shock of paralysis. Fergus emphasizes the power of visualization in reclaiming movement and celebrates the emotional triumph of moving his big toe after 31 days. He also opens up about personal losses during recovery and his current coping strategies, alongside efforts to raise awareness on mental health and resilience.
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Bench Lift That Changed Everything
- Fergus ruptured his T9–T10 discs lifting a rusty metal bench and immediately became paralysed.
- He was rushed to Galway then Dublin for a long operation to stabilise his spine.
Harsh Prognosis After Surgery
- Fergus woke after surgery to severe pain and no feeling in his legs, and a doctor told him he had been "very, very, very unlucky."
- That diagnosis triggered immediate dark moments and a resolve to protect his family's emotions.
Visualise Small Movements Daily
- Use visualization to rebuild neural pathways and stay mentally engaged during recovery.
- Fergus visualised moving his big right toe as a way to create a mental circuit and keep sane under extreme pain.
