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Former AFL and Big Bash League player Guy Walker has revealed details about the devastating shoulder injury that changed his life and the disability claim that gave him hope.
Guy Walker was of such natural talent that he played domestic cricket in Australia for Victoria and later signed an AFL contract with the Melbourne Demons.
As a teenager, this fast right-armed man could throw over 140 km/h, but he injured his shoulder while playing for the Renegades against the Brisbane Heat in 2015.
The injury required surgery, which led to more surgeries and ultimately convinced Walker to transfer to the other sport he was excellent at, soccer.
Scouts from various clubs had taken an interest in Walker, and he eventually signed with Melbourne in 2018 and worked hard to return to full fitness.
Former AFL and Big Bash League player Guy Walker has revealed details about the devastating shoulder injury that changed his life and the disability claim that gave him hope.
As a teenager, the speedy right-arm could throw more than 140 km/h, but he injured his shoulder while playing for the Renegades against the Brisbane Heat in 2015.
It was during a training session that year that a regulation tackle by one of the team’s smaller players re-injured his shoulder in ways the 24-year-old couldn’t imagine.
“I woke up every night for two weeks feeling like someone was stabbing me in the shoulder,” Walker said. codesports.com.au.
‘I had a huge lump on the back of my shoulder because the nerve had been severed. No messages so I lost all muscle there.
Walker thought she could sideline him for a while, but was told by a neurologist that the injury was much more serious.
It was his neurology practice at Hawthorn. I walked into his office thinking he was going to say, ‘You’re out for a while again,'” Walker said.
“But she told me: ‘This is what you have, you must withdraw immediately.’ You will never be able to play again, and not only that, you will never be able to pick up your future children.
“She said, ‘You have 50 percent of your shoulder for the rest of your life, and whatever recovery you have in the next 18 to 24 months is what you have for your life.'”
Walker’s injury policy said he was entitled to three years of coverage, but access to care was lacking during the pandemic and Walker was unable to work to support himself.
It was during a training session that year that a regulation tackle by one of the team’s smaller players re-injured his shoulder in ways the 24-year-old couldn’t imagine.
Walker’s injury policy said he was entitled to three years of coverage, but access to care was lacking during the pandemic and Walker was unable to work to support himself.
His quality of life was poor and the bills were piling up.
There would be days and weeks where I would be in bed all week, I would be in so much pain, it would feel like someone was stabbing me in the shoulder, in the neck. And then if I sat down, I felt like my neck couldn’t support my head,” she said.
‘Time passes so slowly when you have pain like this. I’m just lucky to have the support of my partner, Emily.
In May 2022, Walker received a life-changing phone call from former Demons teammate Kade Kolodjashnij, who was also forced to withdraw due to injury.
Kolodjashnij told Walker about an insurance expert named Adriana Oreskov who was helping injured players in dire situations.
Walker contacted Oreskov and she believed they had a case to prove Walker was permanently disabled.
Walker underwent a barrage of tests to assess his status, and earlier this year received a call to let him know his disability claim had been approved. The former athlete can now afford to see top doctors and is planning neck, back and shoulder surgeries.
Walker underwent a series of tests to assess his status and finally, earlier this year, received a call to inform him that his disability application had been approved.
The former athlete can now afford to see top doctors and is planning neck, back and shoulder surgeries.
‘Players need to be educated about what they are signing up for. I just want the athletes to see that I never thought this would happen to me. But I am living proof that it can happen to you,’ she said.
“I know for sure that there are other players who are going through this.
‘Without Adriana’s help, I don’t know where my life would have gone. It’s just about giving us hope, because we just haven’t had it.’