‘Make a difference’: Bulldogs player turned clinical dementia specialist

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 to pack boxes for the rest of my life at a warehouse," he said.

"But my mum and the people at Western Sydney University were a real advocate 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.

"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."

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