By sports editor Russell Bennett
Beau Vernon’s biggest test in life came on 23 June, 2012.
His story is one that’s already been well told – one of how his dislocated neck in an on-field collision led to him being diagnosed as a quadriplegic, and how he fought tooth and nail to become the person he is today.
“At 23-years-of-age, never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be going to play a sport I’d played every Saturday since I was about 10 thinking I could be there laying fully conscious but unable to move my body,” said Phillip Island premiership coach Vernon at a function at the rival Nar Nar Goon footy club in mid-2019 – the last West Gippy footy season before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“That half an hour laying on the ground there was the scariest time of my life.”
Former Collingwood and Footscray player Robert Rose was about the same age – just 22 – when he became a quadriplegic following a car accident.
The Robert Rose Foundation (RRF) was founded by his family 20 years ago in recognition of his pure zest for life, both before and after his injury. It raises money to help survivors of spinal cord injuries enjoy a better quality of life across four key areas: mental health and wellbeing support, the encouragement of participation and social engagement – particularly through their sponsorship of the Victorian Wheelchair Football League, mentoring and coaching support to help with employment and work experience opportunities, and providing practical equipment and house and vehicle modifications through a grant system.
Vernon was there at Collingwood’s match with the Western Bulldogs in April 2019 – the official launch of RRF’s ‘Team 22’. It aims to celebrate ‘the power of two’ – two people coming together in support of each other to live their best lives.
The number 22 is significant for a number of key reasons. Bob Rose, the Collingwood legend, wore the number, as did his son Robert, who was also 22 when he had his accident.
Current Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom, who wears the number 22, is a Team 22 ambassador, along with club icon and premiership skipper Tony Shaw, who also donned the number in his playing days. Brendan Stroud, a foundation member of the Collingwood Wheelchair Football Team, is another.
Vernon is also an ambassador and spokesman for the cause, and a newly-appointed RRF director.
Back in 2019 explained at Spencer Street that, since that on-field accident, he’s had no movement in his body from his chest down.
“I can’t move my fingers one little bit,” he clarified.
“That can be quite deceptive, but my fingers don’t move at all.
“I’ve got only about five per cent of my tricep muscle that works.
“In my chest, I’ve got a little muscle up the top that works, but the major muscle, itself, doesn’t. What I do have working is my biceps, my shoulder muscles, and my neck muscles and that’s about it.”
Vernon’s story, though, isn’t one of sadness and grief over what’s been taken from him. Sure, those and so many more emotions have flooded his thoughts often in the days, months, and years since, but his story is about two things in particular: attitude and gratitude.
“Everyone has ups and downs – we have a choice to move forward, or wonder why me,” he said.
“This isn’t a ‘poor me’ story.
“When you face adversity, when you face challenges, when life’s just tough – it makes you a better person.
“It makes you a stronger person, and it gives you tools to use in the future so that when you’re in those moments you shouldn’t hate it – just accept it, and realise it’ll make you a better person in the long run.
“It frustrates me so much that I waited, and a lot of other people wait for something to go wrong in their own lives or the lives of someone around them before they appreciate the things they’ve got.
“Before I hurt myself I wasn’t rude or anything like that, but I never sat back and realised how lucky I was to have so much in my life.
“When things are taken from you, you really learn to appreciate them.
“Why do we wait to appreciate the things we’ve got?”
With the strong support of his home community on Phillip Island and throughout Gippsland, as well as that of his wife Lucy (the power of two) and their three kids, Vernon – now a two-time reigning back-to-back premiership coach of the Phillip Island senior side – has long been an advocate for the support required to get through such a life-changing event as the one he experienced.
Last month, Vernon won two hand-cycling gold medals at the AusCycling National Championships – further proof of just what can be achieved with such a positive mindset and iron will.
On Friday, 19 March, Vernon will be there at the first round AFL clash between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs – the battle for the Robert Rose Cup.
Head to donate.team22.com.au to give to the cause so that Team 22 can continue to change lives.
“Employment opportunities and work placement give meaning and purpose, helping to break down barriers and enabling the spinal cord injured community to live their best lives,” Vernon explained.
“Coupled with Team 22’s commitment to participation via sport, wellbeing and practical support programs, any donations can truly make a difference.
“I urge the whole community to get behind Team 22 on Friday, 19 March, make a donation, and celebrate the return of the footy!”
Phillip Island’s 2021 West Gippsland Football Netball Competition campaign begins on Saturday, 3 April with a showdown at ‘The Kennel’ in Cowes against the neighbouring Kilcunda Bass.
