Former NZ Warriors coach Daniel Anderson has been left a quadriplegic in a bodysurfing accident in New South Wales in December.
Anderson was body surfing at Soldiers Beach, when he appeared to have been dumped by a big wave, causing the Australian to suffer a cardiac arrest.
Anderson, 56, admits he's lucky to be alive, after being saved by two off-duty paramedics, who were on the beach, when the incident occurred.
"I'm very lucky the paramedics were there," Anderson told Australia's Daily Telegraph, speaking for the first time since the accident.
"I was obviously in a bad way. If they weren't there, who knows how it would have finished up."
In his first head coaching role, Anderson steered the Warriors through one of their most successful periods, guiding them to their first playoffs series in 2001 and the Grand Final in 2002.
He also coached the NZ Kiwis team from 2003 to 2005, before heading to England to take the helm at St Helens, whom he guided to consecutive Challenge Cup victories in 2007 and 2008.
He returned to Australia in 2009, leading Parramatta Eels to the NRL Grand Final, and is currently head of recruitment at Sydney Roosters, a role he'll continue during his rehabilitation.
Anderson says the accident caused severe compression of his spinal cord, which has seen him classified as an incomplete quadriplegic.
"No-one can tell you categorically what, if any, movement you get back, but after four days, I was wiggling my big toe," he told Daily Telegraph.
"Right now, I need assistance with everything - brushing my teeth, feeding, bathing, having a coffee.
"I've got slight movement in my right hand. Three weeks ago, I couldn't do that - it's progress."
A fundraising initiative has been set up for Anderson to help with essential equipment for his home and specialist treatment.
"You've got to learn to try to do the ordinary things in everyday life... getting in and out of bed, or picking up a sandwich," he said. "I still can't feed myself, but that's one of many goals I've got.
"I want to try to stand, but there's no long-term prognosis. They can't tell where it's going to finish.
"It's a long road. You can't equate this predicament to the pressures of coaching, but the mental strength you've got to have in tough times in football helps.
"This is much tougher, but you've got to grab hold of the situation. You've got to try to move forward and take one challenge at a time."
