Heywood still “not out of the woods”

By Akeem Greene

Sunday November 26, 2017, will be a day long etched in the memory of 21 year-old Abioce Heywood. Why? It was the day she suffered a traumatic head injury while on national duty in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Championship in Mexico City. Two months later, the ripple effects of the harrowing experience still hamper the player.
When Guyana Times Sport visited the player at her Diary, West Bank Demerara residence recently she gave an emotional recount of what transpired, well at least what she could remember.

The female ruggers led by Heywood were in rampant form in the tournament defeating Jamaica 19-12 and Dominican Republic 17-12; drawing with Bermuda 7-7 but suffered defeats at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago (5-12) and eventual winners Mexico (12-17).
The tragedy struck in the Dominican Republic game, she revealed, “The first hit I got when I played against Jamaica and I felt traumatized but because my team was depending on me and my country I kept on going; I got hit again [against Dominican Republic], while this girl was going for the try and after than I went blank and I did not know anything.”

When lights returned for Guyana Defence Force (GDF) player she was a patient of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where team physiotherapist Abiola Blair also of the GDF and Manager Petal Adams who is also the General Secretary of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) were present.
“Abiloa told me I got hit in my head and when I woke up the next day but I could not remember the indecent, the doctors kept asking me stuff because they expected that I lost my long term memory but it was not of such.”

It is understood, the final costs for Heywood’s hospitalisation far exceeded the total insurance GRFU had as it came in the in vicinity of some $200,000 Pesos (1USD = 17 Pesos) which was covered by the Rugby international body and will be refunded by the local body with the assistance of the government.
Upon arrival home in early December, through the funding of National Sports Commission (NSC) she became of a patient of Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi to assist her recovery which she stated has not been easy since she has been suffering from constant headaches.
“I did the scan and everything was normal but the doctor said whereby I am having these headaches is because the small tissues in the brain which the scan cannot pick up but only a micro scope; I still have the headaches but not much like before when I came from Mexico; The doctors have been advising I just rest and ensure I take my pills.”
After just two years in the sport, the former national footballer further revealed she will no longer suit up for country or club.
“I don’t think I will go ahead with rugby anymore because it’s been difficult for me, it is really hard because I really love the game but they say who feels it knows it but I will still be there but I will be off the field, no more games.”

GRFU dropping the ball
With eyes filled with tears, the player questioned why “no one from the union has come to see me, coach [Theodore Henry] was encouraging me in the tournament that I am the play maker but since I have returned nobody has come to check on me.”
“We need to look out for women in sports because we can go somewhere; I know while in Mexico we had the championship but some people were not confident in us.”
Questioned on her view of insurance policy for players she vented “They [GRFU] need to get that organised and sorted out because being there it was really messed up, I was there depending on them and there were just back and forth and I was there in the middle, I think they need to better organise these insurances for all athletes.”
“I was really scared because I was thinking that when I came home if I still would remember my family and that was scary.”

Trusting in God
Mother Sheryl Adoulph she said was most shocked at hearing of her daughters’ injury but is trusting in God she makes a full recovery.
“I cannot explain it fully but it was like I was in another world by myself it really shocked me to know my daughter leave here to represent the country and get the news she was unconscious, she is strong and I know she will make it.”
She added, “I am scared but I am trusting in God that everything will be well with her and that in the end she will not have to go through any long term fatigue, with God all things are possible and he is going to work out things out for us.”
Not being able to be at her daughters’ bed side, Adoulph explained she was quit perturbed over the situation and is still searching for some answers.
“They said they have two females already [in Mexico] and I told them two females are not Aboice mom, I’m her mother and I am supposed to be there.”
“I was annoyed over the whole situation how it happened because she didn’t leave by herself to go to Mexico she was taken there by the team and got injured. Up to now we have not seen the CT scan in Mexico to know the true cause and effect of her injuries.”
Next month, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Soldier stated she will return to work but explained that the Chief of Staff who has been giving immense support has given her time off from doing strenuous exercises.
It is expected that in three years she will make the complete recovery, in the interim she explained simple eventualities such as usage of public transportation and loud noises will be the new battles she has to tackle.