#RiseForAlex a resounding success

Didn't the 'Rise for Alex" website give you a clue? I have heard Alex is overwhelmed by the generosity and is providing money to Kurt Landers (junior player injured in game), for instance. Though no funding is never enough, I'm sure there is more money going to such research etc than what is coming Alex's way.

Mushi, I understand what you're saying. Ten years ago I attended a Camp Quality get together and I went over to a table where 2 father's, who had lost children to cancer, were having a chat. I obviously felt nervous that my son had survived. I shouldn't have worried, as instead it was those guys who expressed their sorry for my little family, because we were still going through it. It's bloody awful either way I'm sure.

Alex is a special person. Any sportsman that has a tragedy is hailed a hero or a star in the media, so it devalues people like Alex who aren't self centred and have done good things for others at a very young age.

Thank you very much Cathar. I have a lovely wife and we thankfully help each other.

I have been reading the press and browsing the "rise for Alex" website and I am deeply dismayed. There is no hint of these funds that are raised going anywhere other than Alex. I don't know Alex and I believe he should be given the best support possible. By the NRL. I would be quite happy to make my donation if this fund was set up to further spinal research or any other globally beneficial cause. As for the generosity of the NRL to DONATE per person through the gate. I am sure they will claiming tis donation come July 2015!

Midfielder, I think we have seen much discussion on lifting tackles and things like crusher tackles in the NRL of late. The sport has also reiterated its safety record at a junior level and much is put into the mini/mod version of the sport. Same with the concussion debate. All sports, particularly the NRL will continue to put focus on the safety of players. We now need our judiciary to do the job and be consistent. For such a high impact body contact sport the sport does well to have the lower level of injuries it has and compares well with other major codes in this country especially at the junior level.

Sheek, you say "insurance against serious injury in rugby league remains...". Out of interest, do you know if other contact sports have the required insurance necessary for this type of accident cover? I know in some sports insurance is an option only if the clubs have the money though they are encouraged to have it. I know there are issues with the levels of injury can determine a payout from insurers. There is a case with a Canadian Rugby Union player who is wheelchair bound but because he can move some parts of his body, he isn't deemed to have full paralysis as a paraplegic under the terms of his insurance. I wonder if this is the case for sports in this country let alone rugby league? Insurance is a murky area in many aspects of health, and as Brisbanites found out, in life with floods.

There are two separate issues first is the need to help an injured player... However I have been amazed nay dazed how a lifting tackle and the injury that followed and in percentage terms bad injuries of neck / back etc are quite high does not become the issue ... more a cerebration of helping Alex is the focus .. I am not saying it was planned this way simply saying the issues pertaining to life long injuries in Rl seem to have been lost to a lets cheer for our brave Ben ...

George, it is human to feel pings of jealousy in this case, so don't feel bad. Money is money for a family with a disability aspect to it and greatly appreciated along with other services. I watched Dr Phil today with a friend who suffered at the hands of sexual abuse within the family, and this show highlighted one of the girls abducted and chained in a basement, sexual abuse etc, in the US who got $400,000 odd cheque from Dr Phil foundation, tickets to Celine Dione in Los Vegas, new house, everything (if you could say this for one person, it would be her as she deserves it all). But instead of my friend being jealous, as she suffered in silence, no remuneration or public sympathy, she was inspired by this girl's will to forgive, carry on, inspire others, help others etc She was reminded she isn't alone in this type of abuse/suffering. Not everyone is covered by society's generosities unfortunately. You are not alone. I wish you, your family, especially your son, well. The Rise for Alex, should also be Rise for George, Rise for everyone who suffers life's cruel blows. I congratulate you, admire people like you who is your son's champion. Sorry it's not much but I truly shed a tear for you as I did while my friend watched this agonising topic on Tv today.

Simon is currently employed by Wests Tigers earning $60,000 per annum. West Tigers with the NRL are also doing a benefit for him soon apparently. I wouldn't say they are doing nothing for him.

sorry last paragraph should highlight "before his accident"

No, I'm not suggesting it, I'm telling it like it is. Most of us don't do enough for the less advantaged than ourselves.

As someone who lost a baby due to disability I do often reflect upon how much easier my life is despite the heartache, and can’t even begin to comprehend the emotion and physical strain of caring for someone with a disability all their life. Truth be told I probably don’t envy your situation much at all as heartless as that sounds. Whilst my heart does go out to Alex and his family it also goes out further to those that toil in silence for longer. I’d rather see the money for these types of things distributed more broadly It is also worth noting that one of the various league shows went through Alex’s twitter feed and he apparently had a few promotional pieces for awareness of disabilities and the equitable treatment of those with them. Much more community minded than I was at his age.

Yes I do. Because every person in the crowd raises a $1 for his recovery. The more people the more money raised. Its great result and a great success its looking like it will be around the $130 - $140K raised. A least the NRL are making an effort. Should be applauded. You can donate as well http://www.nrl.com/News/LatestNews/RiseforAlex/tabid/11475/Default.aspx

Who is suggesting,?YOU!.

You are treading on delicate ground, but I know where you're coming from. My son had a brain tumour when he was 5, and couldn't speak or walk for 3 months. We were in hospital for 5 months. My son was a really cute 5 year old but after being brain injured the smile is very different. If a little kid still has a great smile, and/or rich parents, the media will ensure that they get an enormous amount of attention and support. As a father of a now 26 year old disabled man, it does make me a bit jealous. I feel bad about this, but our isolation really rankles at times.

Yes, at least Alex McKinnon & Curtis Landers are being recognised. Which is only apporpriate. But what about Simon Dwyer, who arm is useless? What about all the other paraplegics & quadriplegics in our society who don't have access to funds & a support system that Alex is likely to have? Or even those suffering from severe concussion & other mental issues, the effects of which usually aren't recognised until it's too late. Regrettably, last weekend reminds me one of those 'hip' moments so common in our society today. We look after one person who's injury has been publicised & we can tick that box - gave to that charity, job done. As some are suggesting, the NRL is lapping up the publicity of being seen to help McKinnon, while the issue of insurance against serious injury in rugby league remains unresolved & unsupported. But it's like everything else in our society, we "decide" who we want to help, & conveniently forget the rest.