A TALISMAN goalkeeper is banishing his depression demons by becoming a star in front of goal despite only having ONE ARM.
Robert Lovejoy battled excruciating pain for 25 years after his arm was crushed in a horrifying rugby tackle.The 46-year-old was eventually forced to have his right arm amputated and suffered a mental breakdown following his surgery.
But Robert, from Grimsby, has since used Great Britain’s Paralympic heroes as inspiration to return to sport – and he’s now set his sights on Rio 2016.
The stepdad-of-three said: “Seeing people in my situation and even worse was inspiring.
“The success they had pushed me back into sport - something I never thought I could do again.”
Former manual labourer Robert is unable to return to work - he now battles depression, severe mental health problems and is forced to take a cocktail of prescription drugs.
But with one arm, one glove and a passion for keeping clean sheets, Robert has rapidly become a hero on the pitch after joining a team for people who suffer from mental health problems.
He said: “It’s brilliant to get out with the guys, my balance isn’t that great due to my injury so that’s why I chose to play as goalkeeper - with only one arm I call myself more of a shot stopper.
“But as long as you keep the ball out that’s all that counts.”
Doctors initially amputated Robert’s arm up to the elbow in 2010 to try and give him a pain-free life.
But three years later he was back under the knife after he made the decision to have the rest of his arm removed.
Robert said: “You couldn’t imagine the agony I’ve been in since I was 18,” he revealed. “I’ve had it for more than half my life. I didn’t handle the surgery well and I still don’t now.”
Robert’s wife and full-time carer Ruth, 49, who works part-time at Asda, watched him spiral into a pit of despair and misery - but now watches devotedly from the wings as he pushes for a place in Team GB.
Ruth said: “He’s always happiest when he’s on the pitch,” Ruth said. “I love seeing him play and enjoying what he’s doing.
“Being with other people who suffer mental health problems makes Robert feel part of a team - taking him away from it all.”
Robert said: “It’s a real opportunity for me, to be a part of this team and club, now my aim is to represent my country. To don the national shirt would be an honour you can only dream of.”
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