109. Adapting to disability with Nathan Stapleton

Trigger warning: Spinal Cord Injury

 

Welcome to Episode 109 – Adapting to disability with Nathan Stapleton

 

Nathan Stapleton grew up playing the game he loved, rugby league. He went on to play National Rugby League (NRL) for the Cronulla Sharks, before heading over to the UK to play for the London Broncos. Rugby opened up the world to Nathan and his family, but it also took everything away from him. In 2022 he sustained a spinal cord injury playing country footy, acquiring quadriplegia. He was pronounced dead for 16 minutes, and was lucky there was a registered nurse at the game who saved his life. 

 

Nathan shares his story of adapting to life with disability. From being a footy star, to needing 24/7 disability support to survive, he bravely shares how disability has taken almost everything away from him. Nathan draws strength from being a loving father or two, and highlights the importance of getting back to work; but also the support of his family, friends and footy community. 

 

Key points

 

In this episode Nathan shares: 

• His career in Rugby League
• How a spinal cord injury playing country footy changed his life 
• Life after footy, including his wife giving birth shortly after his injury
• How his children reacted to his injury
• What he used as his motivation to get better
• The steps he took to recovery post injury 
• The impact his injury and recovery had on his family
• His experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• The importance of mateship for his recovery
• His advice for those going through something similar 

 

Quotes

 

"It was grim mate. Not gonna lie, it was the worst day of my life.”

 

"You don't ever want your kid to look at you like "what's wrong?”

 

Connect with Nathan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathan_stapleton_/

 

Connect with Mindful Men

Website at www.mindful-men.com.au

Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2050441875316594

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindful.men.aus

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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindful.men.aus

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXBNQmbj4ZQj3rzFAZALTA

 

***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help***

 

Stay Mindful, Simon