My Story

Hey! My name is Spencer Wadsworth and i played fullback for my university's rugby team - In October 2023 I sustained a brachial plexus injury playing for my university rugby team resulting in the paralysis of my right arm. 
If you are intrested in my training check out my Strava ! (Spencer Wadsworth) 

Admittedly I don’t remember much from the accident as I was unconscious for a short while, but I remember asking where my arm was. Most people had assumed I had just dislocated my shoulder but It was paralysed. After being taken to hospital I was sent for multiple scans and tests before being moved to a resuscitation ward for intensive monitoring overnight. The doctors couldn’t figure out what had happened. I spent 2 weeks in hospital learning to manage the pain before I got the opportunity to meet with a brachial plexus expert in London. After meeting him I was rushed to hospital for immediate surgery. During the exploratory surgery it was found that I had damaged all 3 trunks of my brachial plexus with avulsions in 3 of the 5 nerves from my spine. It was then explained to me after the surgery that my arm was paralysed and my life has been changed ever since.

As soon I was out of hospital I was introduced to the Injured players foundation (IPF) charity for the first time. They have provided me with so much continual support that I am more than eager to raise money for a cause so close to home, so I'm running for them to give back to them and show my gratitude. 

I was never a runner before or after my accident, but I thought why not give it a go, so I'm aiming to run a sub 4 marathon and will be shaving my head if I can't!

I'm running the TCS London Marathon 2025 as part of the #RugbyRunners - The charity I'm running for is the RFU Injured Players Foundation (charity number 1122139) who provide support and information to rugby players in England who sustain a catastrophic spinal cord injury or actue traumatic brain injury playing the game, and help prevent future injuries through vital research.

For real stories of player the IPF has supported, please visit: www.rfuipf.org.uk.