clinical focus
Greg Buckley shares his extraordinary journey . Picture : Martin Ollman for Uniting NSW / ACT
Making a difference
This Bulldogs player turned clinical dementia specialist shares his incredible story
By Arshmah Jamal
Greg Buckley ’ s remarkable journey of becoming a clinical dementia specialist was celebrated at Uniting Eabrai in the ACT as part of Aged Care Employee Day .
Thirty-five years ago , Greg ’ s life was turned upside down when a traumatic brain and spinal injury almost claimed his life .
“ I was a rugby league player for the Bulldogs in the late ‘ 80s and was injured in a tackle in 1988 ,” the 54-year-old told Aged Care Insite .
“ Unbeknownst to me , it fractured my skull , and I was in a coma for the next six weeks and woke up on the grand final day .” “ That ’ s probably the key to it all .” When Greg woke up after his injury , he had lost all his abilities apart from blinking . He spent the next year re-learning the basic such as walking , talking , and eating .
Greg said he was extremely fortunate to have gained a university scholarship through the Bulldogs , which he used to become a registered nurse .
“ The rehab doctors and neuropsychologists were sort of preparing me and my parents [ that I would ] pack boxes for the rest of my life at a warehouse ,” he said .
“ But my mum and the people at Western Sydney University were real advocates for me .”
Seeing her son ’ s extraordinary progress , Greg ’ s mother spoke with staff at Western Sydney University and the doctors to see how far Greg could go .
A deal was then made : if Greg passed two subjects for that semester , he could go on to become a registered nurse .
“ I got a 50 and 51 ,” Greg proudly recalled .
“ I then went on and finished my degree and became a nurse in 1991 .”
Greg initially worked across a handful of hospitals in Western Sydney , trying to find the comfort and support he had during his time at university .
His interest in dementia began while working as an educator at Pendle Hill ’ s Churches of Christ .
While he worked at the nursing home , Greg realised that he had a passion for working with individuals who live with the condition .
At 42 , Greg had an ‘ epiphany ’ moment when his grandfather died , and he decided to move to Canberra .
In 2011 , Greg started working for Uniting .
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To care for those who don ’ t remember who they are in a supported , inclusive and respectful environment
“ The moment I walked through those doors in Mirinjani , it was like I was home ,” Greg said .
“ I felt so supported and secure , which I had never experienced in my 20 years as a nurse .”
For Greg , he feels working as a dementia nurse is ironic because of the link between dementia and rugby players and his personal history .
“ It ’ s quite ironic because the chances of me getting dementia are astronomical ,” Greg said .
“ I ’ ve had two ex-rugby league players come through here as patients of mine , one being Don Furner , who I looked up to when I was 19 .”
“ It made me realise you can make a difference in people ’ s lives every single day .”
Greg said that even working at a job he loves , it still has its challenges .
His accident at 19 continued to affect him and meant he had to redevelop his personality , his way of communicating with people , how he presented himself , and learn how to live with a permanent disability .
“ Uniting gave me the opportunity to care for those who don ’ t remember who they are – and were once a vital part of our community – and do so in a supported , inclusive , and respectful environment ,” he said . Greg said he was still very much involved with the Bulldogs . “ I went to a reunion recently , saw the current team , and decided to give them a pep talk ,” Greg said . “ They played the next day and lost 66-nil .” Despite the loss , Greg still believed in the team and will always be loyal .
Uniting said they were incredibly proud of Greg ’ s journey and were honoured to have him as an employee .
“ We honour and thank each and every one of our 6,500 aged care workers on Aged Care Employee Day ,” a spokesperson for Uniting said .
“ We also take the opportunity to highlight Greg ’ s remarkable achievements in overcoming extreme adversity to excel in his job as a clinical dementia specialist at Uniting Eabrai in Canberra .” ■
agedcareinsite . com . au 19