9 September 2024

Meet Naz. Naz is one of our lived-experience peer support workers and a five-time Paralympian in Wheelchair Rugby, winning 2 gold medals and 2 silver medals!

While Naz has been working here for over 25 years, Naz’s journey with Austin Health began well before that.

In October 1990, when he was 20 years old, Naz broke his neck while diving into shallow water. Naz was rushed to Alfred Health where they stabilised his neck before transferring him to Austin Health. Naz underwent surgery where they took a bone out of hip and attached it to his neck. Following the surgery, Naz spent 6 weeks in hospital and a further six and half months in rehab.

While in rehab, peer support workers came and saw Naz. Naz recalls, “I still remember how motivating it was to see them.”

For one of the activities in rehab, the leisure team took Naz to see a game of wheelchair rugby. Naz saw players with injuries just like his being so physically active and having fun while playing the game and immediately knew he wanted to play too.

A few years later Naz went on to represent Australia in five Paralympics games; winning two gold and two silver medals! He retired from the Australian team about six years ago but continues to play at national and local tournaments, while also coaching the local teams.

About five years after the surgery, Naz returned to Austin Health as a peer support worker.

“My experience in rehab was very positive. I had mentors who were great, and all the patients in my unit worked together to help and motivate each other. I know that not everyone has such a good experience.”

“The patients I work with have just suffered a life-changing injury and they don’t know what their life will look like in the coming months and years. They have to re-learn everything – dressing, using the bathroom, personal care; just like I had to. It really sucks, especially in that moment when your mind is not yet ready to accept the change.”

He continues, “The fact that I can show people that they still have a real chance to go back to having a great life, a family, travel, work, and do anything they want to is why I do this. Helping them work through their loss, showing them their potential, seeing their progress and the smile on their faces is the best thing.”

The work that Naz and our other peer support workers do goes beyond just supporting people in rehab. It’s a lifelong relationship and friendship. They also travel regionally and internationally.

Recently, Naz and his colleagues were invited to Indonesia by the Australian Embassy to demonstrate wheelchair rugby, coach and attend exhibits. They visited five different towns, met with university students, disability organisations and embassy staff.

One message Naz would like to share is this, “Don’t lose heart – it’s still going to be a great life if you can just stay motivated. There is a lot you can still do.”