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“I does watch myself in the mirror every day,” former T&T national youth and senior team midfielder Jean-Luc Rochford confessed. “[I ask myself] how you come from being a national player, from scoring in a World Cup, from creating history, to being somebody who cyah even play the game they love? I feel like a total failure.”
Rochford has an ACL injury, which requires surgery. With luck, the tired Arima native will be able to get it done at the San Fernando General Hospital soon.
“Mt Hope say they don’t do the surgery there,” a still hopeful Rochford told Wired868, “but San Fernando seem like they really willing to help. They already ordered the equipment and thing already. I on top the list so I am just waiting on a date.”
It may happen. If it doesn’t, it won’t be the first time. And the 27-year-old will see his whole world, built around a promising football career, continue to crumble…
In 2009, T&T football fans all celebrated as an 18-year-old Rochford wheeled away in celebration after silencing a 74,000-plus crowd at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, in the opening match of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup against the hosts.
That was then. Today, a forgotten, struggling, almost broken Rochford battles with his harsh new reality, far from the eyes of the world, the fans and, worst of all, those who have it within their power to render assistance.
“This is the worst thing that ever happened to me,” he told Wired868. “Angus [Eve] drop me in the [Trinidad and Tobago National] Under-23 and that never hurt me like this. It’s so much. It’s just depressing.”
Let’s go back: It is 12 August, 2016. Rochford is at the Larry Gomes Stadium training field. North East Stars pre-season training is in progress and he is bidding to earn a contract with the club for the 2016/17 season.
(Courtesy Allan V. Crane/ Wired868)
Fate steps in. His foot goes down in a hole on the field, he twists his knee and tears his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Fast forward 18 months to the present.
“You feel I wanted to get injured?” he asks Wired868 rhetorically. “You feel I put my foot down in the hole for spite to twist my knee? No!”
“I find it ridiculous,” he continues. “I represented the country since Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, went two World Cups, represent in the Under-23s, get my first senior team cap in 2012.”
“I dedicated my life to football and to the country,” he adds, “and I just asking for a lil bit of help. I not even asking for money, that’s the thing. I asking for a letter to go to the public hospital (to get to the top of the list) to get the surgery done.
“I asked the people who I think I should have asked—the Minister of Sport, the Federation (TTFA), North East Stars, Ross Russell (North East Stars head coach at the time). They ain’t even help me do nothing. When I get injured, it was just like whatever.”
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
To be fair, although the people and entities he identifies have not been very helpful, others have been in Rochford’s corner, 2006 World Cup veteran Carlos Edwards among them.
Edwards, who has suffered similar injuries in the past, returned from the UK to play for North East Stars for the 2016/17 season, the first time in 16 years that the former England Premier League winger—nicknamed “Rolls Royce” by Sunderland fans—had suited up in local club colours.
Rochford turned to Edwards for advice soon after his injury and, under the guidance of former National Team doctor Terence Babwah, he was advised to have an MRI done to confirm the extent of his injury.
A request to North East Stars for assistance in getting the MRI done met with repeated run-arounds and fob-offs for several months.
Completely disenchanted by North East’s lack of real response, Rochford contacted Minister of Education Anthony Garcia, both his former principal at Fatima College and his Member of Parliament.
Thanks to Garcia, NCRHA Health Director Dr Rodney Ramroop arranged for the MRI to be completed at Mt Hope in December 20. Free of charge.
(Courtesy News.Gov.TT)
The MRI confirmed the existence of an ACL tear which, it also confirmed, would require surgery. The surgery at a private institution, Rochford discovered, would cost some TT$30,000.
Knowing that that was well beyond his financial means, Rochford began some fund-raising initiatives and actively sought assistance from various bodies.
In April 2017, he successfully raised about TT$14,000 through a BBQ. Still short of his target, he reached out to another medical doctor specialised in sports medicine who began working to see what could be done.
In early May, she presented the beleaguered former national player with a list of private and public institutions he might try. Because Sangre Grande Hospital had openings in its orthopedic surgical list at the time, it was decided to try his luck there.
At last, a glimmer of hope!
A mirage! To date, there have been four surgery appointments—and four postponements. From lack of equipment to shortage of beds to surgical doctor absenteeism, Sangre Grande Hospital cited a number of reasons for the delays.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“They told me the surgery was 19 August,” Rochford told Wired868. “My grandmother had died right before but 18 August I went up to the hospital because they told me I had to get warded but they had no beds. From 8am to 4pm, I was up there waiting and nothing.
“Then they told me come back October. Then they told me come back January—same thing.”
His frustration mounting, Rochford turned his focus to getting a letter from Minister of Sport Darryl Smith and TTFA General Secretary Justin Latapy which attested to his service to the country over the years. With it, he hoped to make a request for priority surgery at one of the hospitals in the country.
“I asked Cornell Glen, who is my personal friend [for help],” Rochford explained. “He knows the Minister of Sport pretty well so he called him. The Minister said he would dig into it and try to help me out as soon as possible.”
“That was five months ago,” he added, holding up an open palm. “No word from him yet.”
“I asked the Federation (TTFA) and I was told I didn’t get injured on the national team so they can’t help, they don’t have no money, this, that and the other.
“But I was just asking for a letter. I spoke to Justin. Same thing: run-around!”
Currently, the funds raised from the BBQ have all but disappeared, for medication, painkillers and therapy expenses having whittled away at them. And Rochford is hurting—in more ways than one.
“It hurts,” he told Wired868. “This is my career! I just trying to get back on the field because this is my way of making a living.”
Rochford’s family is rich but in footballing talent. Older brother Jovan is the assistant coach of TTSL 2017 runner-up FC Santa Rosa and his younger brother Jean-Paul is a former T&T National Under-17 midfielder and a QRC standout. But they are a family of modest financial means.
“I doh really depend on [my parents],” the middle brother told Wired868, “I doh really ask them for anything. But still like, if they need help, I cyah do anything,”
“They seeing me hurting,” he continued. “As my mother say, she doh like how depressed I does be, how down I does be. She doh like that because that’s not who I am. She seeing that it hurting me and she find I shouldn’t take that hurt and change who I am.”
“She seeing that I want it to happen and it not happening.”
There are three things he wants to happen. The first is that the help he needs materialises so that he will be able to join his siblings on the field of play once more.
“First of all I want to play football. That’s the love. I just don’t want to say alright career done, that’s it. I would like to play until about 32 or 33 and then I could see myself going into the coaching.”
Number two is that his dream remains alive.
“Like I had an agent working for me and I was getting through for El Salvador and these places. I just come and get injured.
“[Playing overseas], that’s my dream complete. I never thought I’d represent the country and I end up doing that. I never thought I would go to two World Cups and I end up doing that. So all that was just a bonus.
“The only part of my dream that I ain’t fulfill as yet is playing abroad. Once I can play abroad, that’s it for me then.”
But for him, the really big, urgent one is to get the surgery done.
“…because I know later down in life it will humbug me. Because if I getting pain now, imagine when I am 40 or 45, the pain will be unbearable. I don’t want it to reach there. It’s just a little help I asking for.”
Looking on is Central FC operations director Kevin Harrison (top left) and Bankers Insurance CEO Vance Gabriel (top centre).
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
His pain, his frustration is palpable. But through it all, he has not forgotten the efforts made by his football colleagues like Jan Michael Williams, Leston Paul, Aubrey David, Yohance Marshall, Sheldon Bateau, Ryan Stewart and the others who continuously try to keep his hopes and his spirits up.
“Jan and the others call just to check up on me because they know I down and depressed. It’s hard but I still have to thank some people.”
Chief among these “others” are the medical doctors and the Education Minister. Without them and their efforts, he ended on a positive note, all would seem at the moment lost.
“Mr Garcia real try, Dr Ramroop real try, some of the others real try too,” he said, a forced smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Babwah still trying so hopefully this one pulls through.”
Editor’s Note: Offers to assist Jean-Luc Rochford tumbled in to Wired868 within minutes of this story’s publication including contact made from representatives of the Public and Private Sector and Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh. We will update readers on Rochford’s progress and would like to say “thank you” to his well-wishers.
This is the first in Wired868’s new monthly series, which aims to highlight social cases that merit national attention.
Do you know of any such cases? Please send email with as much details as possible as you can to Wired868 director Lou-Ann Sankar at louann@wired868.com.
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In the midst of the foolishness, humanity reigns still. Lest we forget.
Yep. The system doesn’t work like it should and there are some inattentive or unsympathetic people in key jobs. But clearly hundreds of people are willing to immediately dip in their pockets for this young man.
God is definitely Good!
Kester it is best to wait until mid-week or so. At present at least two doctors have offered to operate for free, which would mean that Jean-Luc only has to fund cost of using facility. Then there have been offers to help from staff at Ministry of Health and the minister.
I see nothing wrong with someone who has given national service being prioritised in the same way that a MP or Prime Minister gets his medical bills taken care of.
Maybe the Health Ministry would offer facilities for the private doctor to operate for free. Dunno.
Definitely there are people like yourself who want to dip in their pockets and that is excellent. But by next week we will have a better idea of what Jean-Luc needs.
Yeah and just imagine a minister medical bill was about $2.5 million eh and a sport man that represented our sweet country cannot get his bill of $60 000 thousand monies cleared eh Them really good yes steeuuppss
I am not in support of any attempts to circumvent the process that currently obtains at the hospital. I certainly hope that it is not even a consideration by the MOH either.
So how soon can this be done eh and if his story was told just before Mr Live Wire football festival that just passed in January eh he wudda received the monies at the game especially when my foreign base players were in the country eh that now have their own businesses in my second sweetest country eh when I tell alyuh Trinis does really stick eh Anyway everything does always happen in my Father God timing eh so let’s get the ball rolling
He’s not circumventing anything, you don’t think orthopedic surgeons the world over bump patients when professional athletes show up for surgery at their clinics? That’s not to suggest that the athletes are ‘special’ or better than common folks, but unlike us, they have a finite professional window in which to earn a living, so returning them to fitness naturally takes priority over the busdriver or office worker with the torn ACL.
Them really good yes
Say whhhhaaaattt??!!
I totally disagree with what ur saying. That has not been my experience skipper. The MUSC had a battery of surgeons to service 3 universities, 2 professional sports teams and the general public. Orthopedic surgeries usually had a 2 – 3 week wait period. That was standard, I was never aware of anyone being bumped up ahead of anyone else. In the most litigious country I’m not sure that is possible without being buried in a lawsuit.
At any rate, in our public health care system there are many folks who would have contributed to health surcharge for all their working lives and have had to endure the indignity of inordinate waiting periods for medical attention. The minister needs to focus his attention on fixing this broken system so that all citizens can enjoy a benefit that we and those before us are mandated to pay for.
Not in our sweet country eh which is not a real country Them really good yes
Lasana Liburd, I’m putting this out to you. Let’s get 50 people on wired to contribute $600 each to raise the 30K or 100 @ $300 each anything extra can go towards his rehab. In fact I’m putting it out to 50 or 100 on volley. Lasana can coordinate the process from here on in.
I would like to suggest that footballers past present and administrators get together form a players association and make access to insurance and other avenues to assist players in these situations
Could not have said it better
Its really hard reading this about my school mate/ former captain of Holy Cross College JL Rochford. Bro I really feel your pain… Just know that God Is With Everyone of us….. So Plenty Prayers and he’ll guide you where he wants you.
And people vex if these same athletes choose to put their loyalties elsewhere…sigh
Stay strong bro you did fail T&T failed you don’t worry God is great.
Correction it should did not fail
This is unacceptable to say the least. Young man doing his best to represent TnT and this is the treatment!!!!?? Something wrong here I refuse to believe they are so callus and unpatriotic to ensure this young man gets the best of treatment. Madness
I love football, I love my country I work at posgh I will try and help
True patriot
The government do not care about the athletes real talk
Congratulations welcome to the real trinidad an tobago
Why do we treat our sportsmen and women with scant regard? Shame on the authorities
Agree 100
Wired868 please open or cause to be opened, an account in a bank to help this sportsman. I would contribute part of my modest poor relief. I am confident that John Public can and will help.
Things are in motion. Thanks for your offer and we will update you soon.
Me too
Remember Cro Cro? Hello John-Williams.. answer d phone… ah only calling fuh a letter! Sad!
Sad after all
Total failure. For an injury like that didn’t know there was a long list awaiting operations.
I am speaking on behalf of this young dedicated young man, please assist him in his cause, hasn’t he proven his dedication to his sport, and to his country, one act of kindness from any organization of Trinidad and Tobago. Help heal this brave, courageous, discipline and blessed with this gift, please one act of kindness, don’t give son God is with you always. Thank you business orgisanzion for taking the time to read this request?
Sad
Great job for highlighting his plight and kudos to those who responded!
Lol. Well it is not meant to be Sport only. But we will see how it goes.
Footballers are not insured by their clubs?
The article specifically states that he was not under contract with the Stars but was training to earn a contract. Nonetheless, I think the club should have provided some sort of assistance.
It pains me to read about this. It’s so shameful to see that ttfa could spend money on shit and not help someone who represented this country on various levels. But these ministers could frolick and drink rum. This is a total shame. Shame on you Minister of sport. Oh gosh man spend some of the money alyuh thief on a good cause nah.
That series might end daily if u dealing with football in particular and sports in general
Maxie Cuffie got 2.5 mil……i’m sure they could at least give you a letter…….smh
Lol he looks like he Is a politician, this is where our money should go to not cuffie
This is football a “major” sport in TT could one imagine what other sports going through…
We are in a sad place when we do not resowct; nor take care of our people…. someone in TTFA must do the right thing and deliver support to this young man
Hmmmmm
Wonder What/Whom made Max Cuffie More Important than him..
Cuffie have daughters. What he have?
What madness is this I hearing here?
Heartbreaking story…
I am one of those cases, or former cases.
What happened?
Played for Trinidad and Tobago at the U15 level. Suffered a knee injury playing junior secondary football. Received no aid, medical support or compassion from TTFF. Didn’t have surgery until moving to the USA in 2000. Represented T&T in the Norway Cup in 2007 and many other tournaments throughout the Caribbean. TTFF claimed that I wasn’t allowed to play school football at the time.
Surgery was done in 2004. Then they called me to play for the u23 team when they saw I was playing in college but told me I needed to pay my way from N.Y. to Trinidad. Lol
You sure you want to expose them like that? Ah mean….. Tobagonians have been putting up with these type of stories for as long as the river nile…. I’ll be a willing reader though..
Once you’ve not in the spotlight in sports in our country the government and maybe some friends and family will neglect you. Why ? Because they are not benefiting from you again; sad reality
Thanks for the update Wired868
We treat our athletes poorly. They represent us and we should be grateful for all the hard work that they put into their discipline.
Editor’s Note: Offers to assist Jean-Luc Rochford tumbled in to Wired868 within minutes of this story’s publication including contact made from representatives of the Public and Private Sector and Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh. We will update readers on Rochford’s progress and would like to say “thank you” to his well-wishers.
Thank you for highlighting this. I pray he gets the help he needs and deserves!
Dear Lasana,
It is a crying shame how easily we turn our backs on those who served our country on the sporting field. The TTFF’s Mr Latapy, while he is correct to say that Mr Rochford did not suffered an injury while representing our country, should consider the service to the country football for the country and should look for avenues for assisting the distressed Mr Rochford.
I wish to suggest that we seek donations of $100.00 each from 300 persons like myself to assist Mr Rochford. Please advise where I can deposit my contribution.
Thanks Krishendath. Jean-Luc is going to follow up on two offers of assistance from Health Minister and private doctor early in this coming week. From then, he should know what help he needs and we can plan accordingly.
Duly noted.
In China they would be shot.
Shameful.
This place called sweet T&T!!
Hmmm, sad
I know the feelings huh
And just imagine that even the bootleg TTFA doesn’t even have any insurance for the players eh Mr Bound not to score was very lucky that is professional club abroad footed the bill when he bounce his head and decide to go into a tackle with the English goalkeeper and got a knee injury when the corrupted Jack Warner mama guy Them into bringing their national team to our sweet country to play against the Soca Worries promising them the World Cup 2022 eh and then never kept his promise Them really good yes yes
That’s the story of T&T , “they doh like they own”disregard you when you are down and out, TRINIS love winners,if not you are discarded, How many have died as paupers, Is there health coverage for players who represent the country in their discipline of Sports? That’s why cricketers seek financial stability externally., Reality! Family before loyalty/patriotism (does not put food on your table and gets you nowhere in this country)
I hear all of you read all the comments and i agree he should get help from all these agencies that turned their backs on him. But you know when he represented Trinidad he represented us to. Therefore I’m asking Wired868 to get an account number where we can start donating funds, hell it’s 30,000 needed. if 300 of us donate $100 that’s it right there. I’m pledging my 100. Let’s get it started.
Same
Ricky, I’m happy for your commitment to the cause! The Health Minister has reached out and a doctor from private sector. By middle of next week we will know exactly what Jean-Luc needs. ??
Thanks God, keep me in the loop.
There would be other players that would get injured.Some system must be put in place.
Same
We should not have to pay for this…the same doctors that will do the procedure at a private facility also do the operations at the state hospitals….we all pay our taxes.
I’m in.,.. where’s the account #
Please post the account number let’s get this done ASAP
This week when he speaks to the doctor and Health Ministry official who offered help, he will know exactly what he needs. It is great that so many Trinis are willing to help. ????
True and Tt$30k is nothing compared to USD60k that my son’s surgery cost
I am definitely up for that
Makes one wonder….
Lasana, I will make some enquires from a leader in the medical insurance industry, regarding the possibility of protection of National players at all levels. If there is a chance of something, he will find it. Have known him for over 50 years. It may not be possible, but we won’t know if we do not try. Will let you know when I get some feedback.
Sure. We are ready to offer information if necessary on that too. So if he would like to inform through an interview then that is on the table as well.
Will get back to you Lasana after we meet. See who else needs to be involved.
Editor’s Note: This is the first in Wired868’s new monthly series, which aims to highlight social cases that merit national attention.
Do you know of any such cases? Please send email with as much detail as possible to Wired868 director Lou-Ann Sankar at louann@wired868.com.
Great. I have one in store for this