Shane (Warnie) was a legend in Australia – a true Aussie legend. A brilliant cricketer, strategic, incisive and sometimes controversial. I did not agree with all of his public statements or his lifestyle choices- but – that was his opinion – his truth – his perceptions – his life!
I grew up watching cricket. The television was often on during the summer holidays with predominantly Test matches in those days (late 70’s to early 80’s).
As a teenager I remember heading to the NTCA ground on my own and watching the English team play in Launceston. I got the autographs of greats such as Ian Botham, Derek Randall, Geoff Boycott, David Gower – a star studded team.
I would wake up around 3 am to watch the final session of Ashes when being played in England on a little black and white portable tv perched on a stool in my bedroom.
I had my small portable transistor radio tucked away in my blazer pocket during the final few hours of the Centenary Test in 1977 – in my English class. What a match and result. My cricketing heroes back then were Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. I loved hearing the chant of the crowd when they bowled.
In 2005, I recall a trip I took with my then 14 year old son Luke to Melbourne. It was a mother/son trip. We were watching a one day match at Etihad stadium – Australia vs the World XI . Warnie was not playing, but he just happened to be within metres of where we were sitting, fiddling with his mobile phone.
There was a glass screen between where he was and where we were. An attractive female stood on our side of the screen with her mobile, making it look like she was texting (Warnie for the sake of the photo I presume). She had a friend standing maybe 5 metres back taking a photo of her, with Warnie in the backdrop also texting – hence suggesting that perhaps they were texting each other.
I felt really sorry for Warnie and viewed him in a different way thereafter – it was not that long after all the furor regarding his mobile phone and women. How easily perceptions can be distorted! Two totally different stories playing out – but ‘perceptions’ can vary depending upon whom is looking, with explicit and unconscious bias playing their part when one ultimately viewed the resulting photograph.
Tony told me of a story this week that was shared to him by Dave, a work colleague. It concerns a former member of the Victorian Labor Party – someone I have never heard of, Philip Dalidakis.
Following the sudden and untimely death of Warnie, he arranged to get a cardio check up, the result of which was an unclear scan, subsequently resulting in an angiogram.
During the angiogram it was revealed that he had a severely blocked artery that could have easily brought on a stroke or other catastrophic heart failure.
They found a 95% blocked artery – this guy had ZERO symptoms.
Quote: “I only got checked because of Warnie”.
Now I am certainly no Warnie – but I continue to be overwhelmed by the personal support and messages as I have shared my own, very personal and emotional journey. I’ve been hit for six – and right now I am scoring a few singles where I can.
I acknowledge that I have a profile higher than some others courtesy of Zwift and the 200,000 km I have ridden resulting in me being a Trek Ambassador. I have over 11,000 followers (Zwift, social media, strava etc – notwithstanding there would be numerous duplicates within that data).
I have always tried to use that following responsibly, and overwhelmingly, most agree that I do. I wear my heart of my sleeve for sure, and I know that a few have found my forthrightness and openness unpalatable and unacceptable. I am but human and have many quirks and foibles and scars. For that I apologise. The first two posts were highly emotionally charged given my highly distressed state at that time and in hindsight, if I was more stable, would have tackled them differently. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I will continue to use my profile to raise awareness of issues and right now to encourage you to get your checkups (heart health, mammograms, prostate, bowel, blood screenings and so on).
I am me. The sum of my life experiences. I am proud of me and what I have achieved.
A very sweet 8 year old girl made my day earlier this week. Evie is the grand daughter of a neighbour and is wise beyond her years. Her hand written note speaks volumes.
Many readers of my blogs are also facebook friends, noting that is where most commentary happens following the release of a new blog. The chat following the last post re *ale was truly hilarious – 87 comments on that post when I last checked, and the best laughs I have had for a few weeks. Thanks for making me laugh!
I have had many people share with me their journeys, fears, genetic background and that they have already made/will be making those medical appointments. TICK!!
Thanks again for your support,
Hugs xxx
yakkablog 
You’re truly an inspiration, your blogs are amazing.
Sending you hugs and love.
Susan 💝💖
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Thanks Susan – hugs back xx
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Hello Sharron
Have pondered for coupla days whether to reply to you – seems you have so many messages of support, and I appreciate this just adds to the load. I seriously do feel for the situation you’re in, once we have a life constructed around health, wellbeing and fitness, (both mental and physical!) to have that suddenly and unexpectedly removed is a very big deal. I know what it’s like having been through something similar – will share a thumbnail of my story in a moment, but it’s not about me.
I guess I’m in an unusual situation in that I work in the area of, let’s call it “mental skills and mental fitness” and for the last few decades have worked with many people, multiple business owners, leaders etc, and also multiple elite sports people including even TdF riders. Have on occasions worked your side of the ditch with State Institutes of Sport and Dept of Sport and Rec, and a few others. Lots of insights gained over those years, and I’m very focused on keeping my skills and knowledge up to date. (Academic Quals include Business Studies, Psych, Positive Psych, and coupla other bits n pieces).
I see you on Strava and always look at your pics, not just scenery which I do like!, but also the great and quirky, humorous, and thoughtful quotes that appear from time to time; they’re excellent! I’m very particular re what I read (have to be) and really just wanted to say what an excellent article/blog you write; very articulate, interesting, emotional (good!), and yet demonstrating great vulnerability. Unfortunately a buzzword now, but it shouldn’t diminish it’s importance or significance, and is becoming increasingly rare; better not get started on that one…! And from what I’ve read of yours, I suspect you’ll agree. A very interesting time we’re living in now…
Can I just try to give you the briefest description of my story, again NOT about me, although maybe there’s some relevance and crossover with what you’re dealing with. I’ve been very passionate about my health and fitness, for pretty much all my life, and my wife of 46 years Steph is the same. But at the same time we’re not obsessed. Have also been an HP athlete, running, cycling etc, etc. In 2009 on ANZAC Day I had a car vs bike accident – a day I’ll never forget. Landed on my head, broke my neck fracturing C2,3, and 4 which usually results in death. At the time I had zero feeling or sensation, and zero function and Steph was a few metres behind me – probably a lot worse for her. I won’t go into the details, is just too long… Spent 4.5 months in the spinal unit here in Christchurch, a wheelchair for a year and still live with permanent issues that to be honest are hideous, but I know how to deal with them too. I’m able to walk/limp again, despite predictions of a max of 20% chance; on the bike again against all advice; left leg only works at about 20%, again etc, etc, just takes too long.
Have also experimented on my own recovery from a mental fitness perspective and now really do understand the importance of hope in situations like these. I also work pro bono with many people in similar situations, some of their stories – WOW! Makes me feel very grateful. The guts of what I wanted to share with you is in the para following this, sorry it’s taken so long to get to it. You must be getting sick of these “lectures”, I really don’t want it to be like that. The best description of hope I’ve ever read is as below – and I doubt I’d need to say anything to you about the mind-body interaction!
Hope is mostly just staying open to the possibility that things might work out, and then trying as if they will, and when we do this we maximise our chances that they will actually work out. It’s not magic it’s effort, and (here’s the kicker) the level of effort we invest is connected to what we expect. Manage our expectations well, we’ll always do better – that’s what optimism is.
Lastly, a couple of my favourite sayings that just say so much when we face situations like you’re facing: “The mind is a tool; learn to be its master not its slave.” In our head, “Who’s in charge, the thinker or the thought?” finally, “Dig the well before you’re thirsty.” That’s only a few, have heaps more…
Please excuse the rant Sharron, hence my hesitation at replying. You write in such an interesting way, you’ll be helping sooo many people. If someone was to ask me what is possibly the most important characteristic to have in times of adversity, knowing what I know from both education and experience, I’d have little hesitation in saying “hope combined with perseverance”. The end, finally.
Go well and happy trails. All the very best Sharron, I really do hope the medics perform well, and your heart and CV system returns to continue to serve you well…
Ted Feldbrugge
(And I also love cricket!!!)
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Wow Ted – Wow – I have re-read your post three times to absorb it all – and what a personal journey you have been on and congratulations for where you are at despite the continuing issues – you are a true survivor and your story is inspirational!
I absolutely appreciate you reaching out to me and fascinated in your area of employment re “mental skills and mental fitness” – in someways a strength for me, in other ways a weakness.
Love to take this conversation off line – so have dropped you a FB invite and we can then PM. Otherwise let me know an email address in a reply message that I can then delete once noted.
Kind thanks, Sharron
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Ps I have your email I realise….I’ll email tomorrow.
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