Incredible strength to help others at risk

JUST over two months after losing her beloved husband Paul, Amanda Green bravely speaks out about the crippling condition that quietly but relentlessly took him from the embrace of his loving family. The Cowboys premiership-winning coach and superstar player took his own life at the family’s Brisbane home on August 11.

Amanda Green tells today how she was recently told that tests on the former footballer's brain by neuropathologist Professor Michael Buckland revealed one of the more “severe forms of pure CTE” (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) he had seen.

That confirmation meant Amanda was able to sit down with their children Emerson and Jed to explain the reason why their father had to leave them.

“I was able to sit Jed down and explain; ‘Daddy’s brain was sick, that’s why he did what he did’, the diagnosis has helped them understand what happened,” Amanda says.

The diagnosis has given Amanda the drive to “shine a light on Paul’s diagnosis, so we can advance our approach to detection, education, treatment and support for people suffering from CTE”.

The pain Paul’s family have felt since his passing is unimaginable, but Amanda speaks with warm gratitude of the love shown to them by so many people from all walks of life.

That pain makes her strength to speak openly about her husband’s condition even more remarkable.

“If there’s a chance that Paul’s story could help the next family spot the warning signs, and maybe be better prepared, then it’s a story that needs to be shared,” she said.