KEY POINTS:
Green MP Sue Bradford and her husband Bill are waiting to learn the extent of the head injuries suffered by youngest son Joe in a rugby match.
The 18-year-old was rushed to Dunedin Hospital's high-dependency unit after being knocked unconscious during a trial for club side Alhambra Union
on Wednesday.
He regained consciousness the next day but failed all basic memory and cognitive tests.
The Sports Institute of Otago student could not remember his name or date of birth and did not recognise his mother.
On Friday, the former Northland and Long Bay College representative had passed some neurological tests and could talk a little. He was transferred to the neurological ward where he was recovering yesterday.
"He didn't say much, he just wanted me to be with him," said Sue.
Bill said he was told Joe was competing for a loose ball when another player's shoulder slammed into his jaw and knocked him out.
Sounding groggy and slurred, Joe told the Herald on Sunday, from his hospital bed, that he did not remember the incident.
His first memory was waking in hospital the following morning.
Doctors have said they are unsure of the extent of his injuries, when he will be released from hospital or what rehabilitation he might need.
Sue expected him to be banned from rugby while he recovered and described the ordeal as "very frightening". "Initially doctors were very worried about him. I feel lucky he's not in a wheelchair or dead.
"We've lost a son already... so I'm just so glad he is alive," said Sue, whose son Daniel committed suicide in 1995, aged 19.
Sue said she had been thinking about former All Black Grahame Thorne's son David, who has been unable to talk well or function fully after suffering a stroke following a rugby injury in May 2006.
Joe said yesterday he wanted to play again, but Thorne advised him to give up the game.
"You only get one go at life, it's not a dress rehearsal. Once you've had a bad knock on the head you are asking for trouble to go back and play rugby."
Thorne said Joe was old enough to make his own decisions and he understood how hard it would be to give up the game.
He initially felt nervous seeing another son Hamish, 20, play after what happened to David but supported his wish to play.
Sue said she had always wanted her five children to be in control of their lives and it was up to Joe if he played rugby again.
Meanwhile, the Thorne family planned to buy David a puppy this weekend because he loves animals, and therapists felt it might help with his rehabilitation.
Grahame Thorne said if anyone looked at David they would not think anything was wrong.
But he walks with a limp, has difficulty moving one hand and has limited speech.
He said he felt for the Bradfords and had sent an email of support.
Alhambra Union could not be reached for comment.
