Irish man begins 3,000-mile US walk after spinal injury
Fergus Farrell is trekking from New York to California to support Spinal Injuries Ireland.
Fergus Farrell, an Irish man who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2018, is walking 3,000 miles across the United States. According to the Times of India, the former rugby player is undertaking the journey to collect funds and increase awareness for people living with similar injuries.
The trek starts at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and ends at the Santa Monica Pier in California. The route covers approximately 4,500 kilometres and is planned to take 75 consecutive days.
Farrell sustained his injury during a gym accident in 2018. Doctors reportedly gave him only a 5 per cent chance of walking again, but he eventually regained enough mobility to attempt the challenge.
The fundraiser aims to benefit Spinal Injuries Ireland, an organisation that assists individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries. Connacht Rugby reported that the walk connects Farrell's personal recovery to the needs of others.
Before this journey, Farrell completed a walk from Galway to Dublin within one year of being discharged from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin. The America Walk website describes the current journey as a demonstration of resilience, noting that Farrell still manages medical issues related to his injury.
