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[Apparelyzed]

Matt Hampson And Leicester Tigers Help Launch New Charity SpecialEffect

SpecialEffect is a new charity dedicated to assisting young people with disabilities by helping them to enjoy life to the full by loaning out specially-adapted computer games or gaze-controlled computers. The Charity was officially launched this week by ex-rugby player Matt Hampson, with the support of The Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.

SpecialEffect was started by Dr Mick Donegan, a world leading expert in cutting-edge technology for people with disabilities. Mick has closely worked with the inspirational Matt Hampson, a rising star of Leicester Tigers and England rugby until tragically paralysed while training with the England under 21 team. Nearly two years on from Mick's first support visit to Matt at Stoke Mandeville, Matt is settled back at home and getting the most of what special technology has to offer. Now, Matt feels he is in a position where he is charged up, ready, willing and able to help other people with disabilities by becoming the Patron of SpecialEffect.

The launch event, that took place at the Leicester Tiger's stadium on Tuesday 22nd January, also saw the launch of the "StarGaze" fundraising appeal inspired by Matt that seeks to raise £160,000 to purchase ground breaking gaze-controlled computers (and expert professional support) for people who, like Matt, are suddenly struck down by serious injury or illness.

Immediately following his own injury, Matt could not speak and could only move his eyes. He feels very strongly that this kind of cutting edge technology is exactly what is needed by people who find themselves in a similarly terrifying situation to the one in which he found himself. He says, "Even if you can't have all the technology available immediately, it's when you're there in hospital that you need to know that this technology is out there and this project will help people in exactly this way." His mum, Ann, adds: "If you're in hospital for a long time - which, in a spinal injuries hospital is often the case, you need that stimulation desperately.'

Visit the SpecialEffect Website

[kewlcatkez]

Hi Simon,

I looked at the web site linked to and also to Matt hampson's website ( www.matthampson.co.uk) and read the articles there. I particularly liked the following:

""Matt suffered a dislocation in his neck which had trapped his spinal cord. It has left him paralyzed from the neck down and more determined than ever from the neck up. It is Matt’s spirit and bravery that has earned him such recognition and has pulled together the rugby world who want to take care of one of their own.""

Its refreshing to see the mainstream sporting world having such an active interest in disability. I know that Rugby teams do tend to have a great sense of 'family'....

Thanks for the links.



K