[Albion] Lewis Hammans

Lindfield by the Pond said:

Just writing this for my own selfish/cathartic reasons, but I've been here long enough to know that sometimes it helps ease some pain.

My lad died this morning at 5am. He had Muscular Dystrophy so we knew this day would come for the last 17 years, but it was still very unexpected. He was a massive Brighton fan, which was my fault. We were season ticket holders at Withdean and I used to park his wheelchair under the steps of south stand and carry him up the stairs to his seat. We would discuss the games on the way home, listening to Radio Sussex.

In the move to the Amex, I spunked my redundancy on a 1901 seat, primarily so he could stay warm before, at HT, and after games, and we have had seats there since the Amex opened. We travelled home and away together, his first away game being Northampton, and the number of away grounds he went to increased well into the forties.

He was a mainstay of the Brighton Hove Albion Powerchair football team, playing for them for 8-9 years, scoring more than 170 goals in that time. He was top goal scorer in the country in 2016/17 season, qualifying for Champions League football, where BHAPFC finished 5th in Europe.

He never got to represent his country in powerchair football, which was his dream, but he was close. He did participate in a Paralympic sport called Boccia, and did qualify for England playing tournaments in Moscow and Prague. He missed out on Rio Paralympics by 1 place, finishing several years as England number 2, and GB number 4.

He suffered 6 cardiac arrests since Friday morning, and the staff at RSCH were brilliant. Air ambulance in Lindfield in early hours of Friday, and scenes from ER on Friday / Sat. Stabilised after that and yesterday, we thought we saw light at end of long tunnel, but 5&6 happened in quick succession this morning. They got him going after 5, but could not after 6.

That was my boy, and I miss him so much. The pain is unbearable, and so I thought I'd type some stuff to help me remember all the stuff we did together. Buckleys Sore Hamstring never posted much, but will not post again, and I have no idea where to turn. We are all in bits.

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Lindfield by the Pond said:

Anyone recommend any counsellors? Have lived with this possibility for 17 years now, and have blocked it, thinking I didn't need any help. With Mum going 5 weeks ago, a friend going 3 weeks ago, my son today, and other sad news in the last 2 weeks, I am struggling. Haywards Heath area? So tired of feeling sad. All cried out.

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Lindfield by the Pond said:

Anyone recommend any counsellors? Have lived with this possibility for 17 years now, and have blocked it, thinking I didn't need any help. With Mum going 5 weeks ago, a friend going 3 weeks ago, my son today, and other sad news in the last 2 weeks, I am struggling. Haywards Heath area? So tired of feeling sad. All cried out.

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Goldstone1976 said:

No words that I, a total stranger, can type will ease your grief at this dreadful time, but know that I will be thinking of you and your family and send you my warmest condolences. Your son sounds like he lived as a full a life as it is possible for anyone with that debilitating condition can - indeed, a fuller life than many people I know who do not have anything like the problems he inevitably faced. You too are to be applauded - from what you say, you played a major part in bringing him joy and happiness in following and playing for the Albion and at higher levels.

I'm glad that you feel the NSC community is an outlet for your thoughts at this sad time - it really can be an amazing place.

RIP Lewis. RIP Mum too.

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