Bexley (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A shocking football injury leaves 30-year-old Crayford dad,Tom Carlse, unable to speak, after an elbow to the throat during a match in Bexley.
Joe Foster, a friend, has been gathering money to support his wife and 18-month-old twins while Tom is in the hospital recovering.
Joe said:
“It was horrific seeing him in pain, the way he was clearly distressed and knew that there was something very wrong from the very beginning.
I see flashbacks every now and then that haunt me.”
According to a scan, Tom’s larynx was broken, making it difficult for him to breathe or speak normally.
In critical care, Tom was put into a coma and kept breathing with a ventilator and breathing tube.
Joe said:
“We all knew from the very beginning that it was serious. But I don’t think we quite knew how serious it was.
A fundraiser has been set up to help support Tom’s two children while he recovers.
You don’t expect your friend to play a game of football and then you find out he has been put into an induced coma with a breathing tube effectively keeping him alive.”
Six days later, Tom was awakened by medical professionals who conducted a tracheostomy, which involves making a hole in his neck so that he can breathe.
Although Tom can now speak somewhat, he is unable to eat or drink, and Joe fears that he may never entirely recover.
He said:
“I think it’s been huge for him mentally, not being able to see his boys on a daily basis and do everything that you would like to do with them.
They now go up and visit him every now and then but it’s not the same.”
As well as the personal impact, the injury means Tom is unable to continue running his business as a sports and PE coach to support his family.
If he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, he doesn’t earn.
So that’s the whole idea of the fundraiser to take away that stress while he’s in the hospital paying the mortgage or bills and allow him to focus on him, his family and recovery,”
Joe said.
Tom’s football squad has contributed the most to the fundraising, which has raised almost £13,000 so far.
The more than 500 gifts have “overwhelmed” Joe, but he is concerned about Tom’s uncertain future.
He said:
“At this stage, it’s very highly unknown what the outcome will be.
We do not know what the long-term effects will be – if he will have a voice, or what type of voice that will be. We don’t know.
Tom has a very positive outlook on it.
He accepts that some things aren’t going to be the same again but hopes at least he can talk in some way, and he can communicate with his boys and be with them.
You can donate to support Tom’s family here: https://gofund.me/8bfd5a2d”
How has the football community responded to Tom’s injury?
Tom’s friend Joe Foster created a GoFundMe campaign to aid with his recuperation and provide support for his family, which includes his wife and 18-month-old twins. The fundraiser has raised £12,200 so far, exceeding its original goal of £5,000.
Tom and his family have received a lot of emotional support from VCD Athletic F.C., the team he was playing for when he was hurt. The club has promised to support him during his recuperation.
Other teams that Tom has previously played for, including Hythe Town, Ashford United, and Ramsgate FC, have also expressed their support by endorsing the fundraising and posting encouraging remarks.
Friends and teammates have praised Tom’s contributions to the teams he has played for, calling him a dynamic presence in the locker room and an enthusiastic athlete.
Those who know him have been profoundly impacted by his injury, highlighting their wish for a full recovery.