The rugby league coach tackling the colostomy bag stigma
17 April 2019 12:57
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Paul Anderson, who won multiple titles after stoma surgery, is telling his story to support a remarkable new rugby league teamBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredPaul Anderson was fearsome. Nudging 20 stone, bald as a boulder, snarling and staring out friends and foes. And that was just when he was coaching. But 25 years ago, when he was a giant young prop at Halifax, “Baloo” faced a choice. An abscess in his bowel had not healed properly and the unpleasant, debilitating symptoms had deteriorated for 18 months, leaving him pretty much incontinent. The physical and mental toll was considerable and he was desperate.“I’d had enough,” recalls Anderson, who is now in charge of the Warrington Wolves Under-19s. “Every time I went to hospital there was no improvement. I saw a professor who said I could carry on or have colostomy surgery. I’m pretty black and white, so that suited my personality. It was a no-brainer: I had the surgery. It was a means to end. It was the quickest route from A to B. If anyone asks me now I’d say: ‘Don’t hesitate. Do it.’”One week to go until our first #RugbyLeague game of 2019! If you’ve been inspired by reading @PaulAnderson_17’s story why not come down and support us? or get in touch if you’d like to find out more, play, or help out this season https://t.co/jeBxz7HF0v #UpThePurps pic.twitter.com/N4Nu4xqSlS Related: Ottawa and New York face race to be admitted into rugby league for 2020 Related: Israel Folau to challenge Rugby Australia's termination of $4m contract Continue readingread full article
