danny wicks article

being told his unborn child had no chance of survivingCHRISTIAN NICOLUSSIThe Daily TelegraphDecember 04, 2015 10:00PMDanny Wicks with his son Clay, who was born at 29 weeks, and spent a lot of time early in his life in hospital. Source: News LimitedIMAGINE being told your unborn child has no chance of surviving.Halfway through the pregnancy, there’s no more fluid in the womb.The lungs are unlikely to develop as a result.If you elect to proceed with the pregnancy, the doctors make it clear the baby will likely be stillborn. What’s worse, you only have a week to decide what to do before terminating becomes a more difficult alternative.This was the gut-wrenching scenario Parramatta prop Danny Wicks and his partner Leona had to face.Wicks had served 18 months in jail for drug trafficking. But nothing behind bars could have rocked him like this.Danny Wicks at his Northmead home with his son Clay, now 17 months. Source: News Limited"" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; height: 250px; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Leona had encountered problems after undergoing an amniocentesis, a straightforward pre-natal test that involved removing fluid from the sac.WORLD CUP: Bennett puts hand up to coach rival nationSWITCH: Giants confirm secret Burgess NFL trialAfter feeling ill for a few weeks, Leona returned for another ultrasound.“When ‘Leo’ went for the scans that day, I knew straight away something was up because the lady kept shaking her head and was hesitant when talking to us,’’ Wicks told The Saturday Telegraph.“She kept taking different pictures. We were at Grafton Hospital and I remember being told by the paediatrician we needed to have a serious think about termination because if there was no fluid for the lungs to develop, the baby would come out a stillborn or with severe abnormalities.“We were also told we had to make a decision before the 20-week mark because after that it would become much harder.’’Wicks was stunned.“I remember being shocked,’’ Wicks said. “But as Leo and I walked out, we both came up with the same decision within a couple of hours, and that was to (proceed).“We wanted to give this baby the best opportunity to survive. The odds were terribly stacked against us. But we didn’t want to go through life wondering ‘what if?’.’’Leona was ordered to immediately rest and spent time at the Gold Coast Hospital.Danny Wicks with his partner Leona Dondon, daughter Chelsea-Laine 4 and son Clay, now 17 months. Source: News LimitedWicks was making the two-hour trip back and forth to Yamba, on the NSW north coast, where he was working as a bar manager. Money had to keep coming in.After countless tests and sleepless nights, Leona was induced at 29 weeks.And on July 4, little Clay Gordon Wicks was born.He only weighed 1.5kg. On the second day, Clay underwent an operation to repair a perforated stomach, which had become so dry from not enough fluid during the pregnancy.It was also quickly discovered he had a dislocated hip.But after nearly three months in hospital, Clay was allowed head home.Now 17 months old, Clay looked a picture of health as he played with his older sister, Chelsea, in the backyard of the family’s Northmead home on Friday.Wicks will never forget the ordeal.Clay, Danny Wicks’ son, was born at 29 weeks and spent a lot of time early in his life in hospital. Source: News LimitedAnd it’s why he has become an ambassador for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He spent time with some of the young patients on Friday.“I’ve always had the pleasure of doing stuff for the kids in hospital, and putting smiles on their faces, but when you’ve been in that situation and know what they’re going through, it’s nice to give a bit back.“I’ve always been a positive person. Jail was a chapter, a couple of boring chapters in what is hopefully a pretty good book. Time will tell.“I’m realising how lucky I am. I’ve now got two kids and a missus who is clearly batting overs.’’Wicks proved a revelation for the Eels last season after five years out of the game.He has enjoyed the pre-season and seeing new recruits Kieran Foran, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon rip in.Wicks only has a year to go on his deal.But he’s feeling and looking fit and prepared to back himself. He won’t wonder ‘what if’?’http://m.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/danny-wicks-opens-up-about-being-told-his-unborn-child-had-no-chance-of-surviving/story-e6frf56c-1227634457640

"I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on signing a 31 year old prop coming off a full acl reconstruction in exchange for Lomax when the court case was only settled yesterday. Yeah great idea, we've just bought ourselves 2 years and blow it in…"

Replies

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER December 5, 2015 at 11:45am

My heart go out to Danny and hes wife
michael picklum December 5, 2015 at 12:07pm

Putting the drug past in the bin, the bloke has real character. Made a mess of his life then had the character to pick up the pieces & move on. Since he joined us, he has been terrific & IMO I hope we extend his contract.
- 1ee > michael picklum December 5, 2015 at 12:52pm
  
  X2
- nudger > michael picklum December 5, 2015 at 6:32pm
  
  yes i agree he is an inspiration someone others
  
  who may have troubled past can ask for advice
  yeah i hope they resighn danny and young clay to he;s a fighter
Monster Eel #38 December 5, 2015 at 12:38pm

Resign Danny. He loves the eels by the looks of it and seems to be a honest enough bloke. Didn't Watmough's wife go thru the same thing with their child? Onyah Danny!
- Mo > Monster Eel #38 December 5, 2015 at 7:06pm
  
  Haha
Clive December 5, 2015 at 12:59pm

You can't help but like Danny. To get where he is now after being out of the game for 5 years is incredible.
Yobz December 5, 2015 at 2:06pm

To me this shows that Danny isn't afraid to do the right thing because it is hard.
It would also have been easy to just pay the hospital bill and leave it at that, except he goes further and gives back to those less fortunate.

I hope future articles are about his other good deeds and do not bring up his past mistakes.