Search icon

Life

21st Jun 2015

“I Couldn’t Move Anything from Below My Shoulders” – Former Hurler Dessie Fitzgerald on the Injury that Changed His Life

"He really wanted to do a few steps on our wedding day."

Rebecca McKnight

Dessie Fitzgerald, now 32, began his GAA career with Charleville at the tender age of five. 

Through the years, he represented both his club and county at underage and won Harty Cup and Croke Cup titles in his school days.

In the run up to October 8th, 2011, Dessie was living an ordinary, happy life – working, preparing for a semi-final and planing a wedding with his devoted bride-to-be. When the day came, though, Dessie’s life changed forever.

A mid-game collision caused Dessie to suffer sustained bleeding and severe bruising to the spinal chord. He spent five weeks in the Intensive Spinal Ward of the Mater Hospital in Dublin, followed by ten months, from November 2011 to August 2012, in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.

Since the accident, Dessie has married his beautiful wife Sarah and the pair have welcomed a son. Almost four years after the accident, Dessie’s focus remains on recovery, getting back to work and supporting his young family.

Earlier this month, The Dessie Fitzgerald Injury Fund was officially launched at Charleville GAA Club. Watch his story in this incredible video, and follow upcoming events here.