Naomi Fryers spoke to Damian Jobson (and his wife Brooke), subsequent to a life-changing injury he endured playing rugby league.
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On Saturday May 21st this year Damian Jobson, a 35-year-old cabinet maker and father from Newcastle lined up to play rugby league as a front rower in the Hunter Valley. Brooke described Damian before that day as a very typical and “hands on” father to a young family. He was, “always very giving, laughed, played footy, enjoyed going out for dinner and worked hard making kitchens.” For all intent and purposes he sounded like the quintessential Australian character, who could have been any of us, or a brother, friend or even partner.
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Two of his vertebrae had been impacted.
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Damian was to represent his beloved club ‘The Windale Eagles’ in that game. He had only returned to playing rugby league six months beforehand. During that match, there was a tragic on-field collision, which coaches later described as, “the worst they’d ever seen.” Following the tragic accident, the game was cancelled, as the severity of what had happened sank in among the devastated playing group. The damage to Damian in terms of injury, included a broken neck, which early reports concluded most likely occurred when his head had come in contact with another player’s knee. Two of his vertebrae had been impacted, and he was unable to feel anything below his shoulders due to pressure on his spinal cord.
When asked how life was tracking subsequent to the incident, the couple told me with remarkable resilience they were, “Taking things day by day, and doing alright.” Since the incident Damian has remained in hospital, although he has recently been transferred to a rehabilitation unit, which wife Brooke described as, “the beginning of a new chapter.” It’s here that he hopes to have more time at the gym undertaking physiotherapy. Brooke went on to outline the amazing support they have had from Damian’s club team mates who in her opinion, “have kept him going.”
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…they’re amazed at how well he’s doing and how well he’s taking it.
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Brooke spoke proudly of the way Damian has handled life post-injury. “He’s actually surprised me… I thought he would have said I’m not doing this, but he’s actually been very good. When people come to visit for the first time, they say they come down expecting the worst, expecting him to be down in the dumps, not talking and crying. They’ve all just said they’re amazed at how well he’s doing and how well he’s taking it.” On hearing Brooke speak about her husband, I couldn’t help but think of the saying, “You can’t keep a good man down.” It’s a testimony to any man who experiences adversity, to keep on, keeping on.
Australian Rugby League legends have also played a role in keeping Damian’s spirits up with Wayne Bennett recently visiting the young father of three in hospital. This would no- doubt have made a welcome distraction from the monotony of his hospital routine, which at the time, revolved around his hoist, showers, meals, physiotherapy and sleep. Damian also spoke of the “fantastic” support of his wife Brooke. While, Brooke said the couple were, “very lucky to have each other.” While it’s fair to say the future may be uncertain, none of that appears to be stopping them, another testament to their strength, love and character.
The young Australian family, during it’s time of need (and change), also mentioned that they have been very grateful for a financial GoFundMe Campaign that they described as, “a huge help with making life less stressful.” Damian and Brooke are now selling their family home due to its inaccessibility to Damian (which includes stairs and a steep driveway). They are hoping that a new home will be more accommodating to his ongoing needs, with a new bathroom set- up including a shower chair, hoist and other practical and adaptive technology.
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If sheer will-power and determination are anything to go by, there may just be no stopping this family getting where they want to be.
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Damian hopes to be going home in time for Christmas. But his ambitions don’t end there. He also wants (and is quite determined), that down the track he can wheel his own wheelchair. If sheer will-power and determination are anything to go by, there may just be no stopping this family getting where they want to be. Damian and his wife both appear stoic and resilient, two incredible qualities that so often emerge from tales of adversity.
Following the interview with Damian and Brooke, I found myself reflecting for some time, on what a testament to their characters their attitudes to life (and love) were. Needless to say, it was very clear to me that anyone who afforded any kind of favor to the young couple, would certainly be offering a hand-up, rather than a handout. With that in mind, I made my own pledge to send the young couple toward progress, because after all, the world needs more men with the kind of bravery, resilience and determined outlook that Damian Jobson has.
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