July2010

Hopewell loses vision in left eye

July 30, 2010

Brookfield, NS

Hopewell loses vision in left eye
Published on July 28th, 2010
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Team dealing with loss of popular infielder
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Courtesy of:
Truro Daily News


BROOKFIELD – “Shock” and “disappointment.”
That was the reaction among the Brookfield Elks upon learning teammate Chris Hopewell had lost sight in his left eye after a freak softball accident.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Elks coach Donald Henderson told the Truro Daily News this week. “I mean … a good guy … it brings a tear to your eye when you think about it.”
Hopewell was injured last Wednesday during a game against the Nova Scotia Juniors at Elk Park when he was struck in the face by a ball during an infield throw-around, leaving the 40-year-old with a fractured nose, broken orbital bone and ruptured eyeball.
Hopewell, a Lantz resident, was rushed to Colchester Regional Hospital following the accident and underwent three hours of surgery to repair the eye. On Friday, he was taken to hospital in Halifax where it was determined his sight could not be saved.
“They rebuilt the eye in the first operation but they weren’t able to do anything with the retina,” Henderson said.
Hopewell, known to his teammates as Gumby, was a key member of the Elks. He was a starting shortstop and hit in the clean-up spot in the batting order. He will be missed, Henderson said.
“He’s one of the best guys you’ll meet,” he said. “A team leader on and off the field, and he leads by example … he loves ball and he loves pickin’ up his team with a joke here and there and keeping people loose.”
Henderson has spoken with Hopewell since the accident, and despite the ordeal, said he is in good spirits.
“He’s telling blind jokes now, so he’s upbeat about it as good as you can be,” he said.
“He’s always been that kind of guy to look on the positive side.”
The Elks are preparing for the Canadian senior men’s championship next month in Charlottetown, and Henderson said losing Hopewell for the tournament is a major blow.
“He was playing so well and we had high hopes for nationals this year and he’s disappointed he won’t be able to help us, and we’re disappointed he won’t be there with us also, but we’ll move on, and with his support and encouragement I’m sure the guys will pick up the slack.
“We fully expect him to come to nationals with us and be part of the team on the bench and provide support that way.”
 
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