Almost four months after suffering life-threatening injuries in an horrific Kings Highway crash Thomas ‘TJ’ Campagna is fighting an uphill battle to achieve his dream of playing professional rugby.
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TJ was travelling with his mother, Alanna Davis, and a family friend to the south coast for a holiday before Christmas when a driver, allegedly under the influence of ice, veered to the other side of the road and caused a three vehicle collision.
The 13-year-old was airlifted to Canberra Hospital and spent 20 nights there before being able to return home.
While it saved his life, TJ’s seatbelt caused him to suffer a perforated bowel, requiring a stoma, the loss of a major abdominal muscle, a collapsed lung and two fractured ribs.
Other than a short stint of half-days TJ has not been able to return to Canberra Grammar where he’s completing year 8.
Prior to the accident TJ was a promising young rugby player, both league and union, but his mother said doctors were giving conflicting reports over whether he would ever be able to reach his goal of playing professionally.
“The worst thing is thinking his dream has been stolen from him,” Ms Davis said.
More will be known after TJ undergoes another surgery in May to remove his stoma, but to his credit the young man is not willing to give up on his dream.
“I’m not nervous [about the surgery], I’m excited to just get past this,” TJ said.
“It’s just an excuse to work harder.”
Since the crash TJ has not stopped working hard to recover. In the past fortnight he has had 14 medical appointments and his exercise physiologist Stuart Stokoe said he has approached everything enthusiastically.
“He hasn’t missed a session, hasn’t said a negative word,” Mr Stokoe said.
“He’s doing some pretty advanced stuff in the pool, considering what he’s been through he’s doing well.”
Seeing TJ in the pool in his Chicago Bulls jersey hints at one of the more difficult issues he has faced, embarrassment over the bag that currently completes his large intestine while his bowel heals.
Ms Davis said it was much more prone to leaking than a regular stoma due to the scar tissue in the area and TJ can’t realistically be without her or his father in case it needs attention.
She also said TJ’s injuries have had a significant financial impact on his family. TJ needed reclining chairs as sitting upright for too long became painful and there has been a noticeable increase in bills, none of which is covered by insurance.
The woman accused of causing the accident while under the influence of ice, Katrina West, 39, recently appeared in court and made another bail application, which was declined.
Ms West has not entered a formal plea and will return to court in early May.
