Tumour agony for snooker ace
3:46pm Friday 2nd June 2006 in Latest News
Trowbridge snooker player Adam Wicheard (14822/2)
ADAM Wicheard's dream of joining practice partner Stephen Lee on the professional snooker circuit has been dealt a heart-breaking blow by a serious neck injury.
Trowbridge cueman Wicheard, who is ranked number two in England at under-21 level, is recovering in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol after a seven-hour operation to remove a tumour on his spinal cord.
Wicheard, 20, had been selected to represent England at the European Under-21 Championships this summer, but now faces a lengthy battle to regain his mobility.
The former Clarendon School pupil has no feeling in his body from his chest downwards and will soon be transferred to the spinal injury unit at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury.
Doctors say it is too early to tell whether Wicheard will ever be able to play competitive snooker again.
Distraught parents Steve and Sue Wicheard have taken leave from work to be at their son's bedside as he begins the first phase of his recovery. Steve said: "I just can't believe it. Adam doesn't even know he was picked for England yet. We will tell him when the time is right.
"The consultant said it could be up to 18 months before he makes a good recovery, if not a full one. The doctors had to break the vertebrae in his neck just to operate."
Wicheard was competing in the Pontins Open in Prestatyn two weeks ago when he first complained of neck pain. The next day the left side of his body felt numb and he could barely hold his cue. After he was knocked out in the last 16, Wicheard drove home to Trowbridge to see the family doctor. He was given some neck exercises to do, but concerned father Steve wanted some answers.
"We took Adam to the RUH in Bath. After doing some blood tests, the doctor referred him to the radiography unit, but they said he was okay. "But by Monday Adam was much worse so we took him back in. He had an MRI scan and was rushed by ambulance to Frenchay Hospital.
"He was supposed to see a radiologist but there were five emergencies that night. Even after the operation, we still have no idea when he will be moved to Odstock because there's a big waiting list there," he said.
Steve revealed Adam had received a letter of support from BBC commentator Clive Everton and a phone call from world number 10 Lee, who is due to visit Wicheard soon. He said: "It was really nice of Clive to write because he has never met Adam before. We've also had phone calls from parents of other players on the junior circuit, wishing Adam a speedy recovery.
"Adam has been very positive since the operation. He says there are people in the hospital worse off than him - it's quite a humbling experience just listening to him.
"He's had a brilliant season at the table, everything was coming together nicely. He even beat Stephen Lee 10-5 before he went to the World Championships.
"Stephen said Adam was in the best form of his life and he would have been thrilled with his England call-up. Now we will just have to wait and hope that he will get better."
