Greg Chatfield’s Story: an Indigenous Palliative Care Journey

Summary

This video features Greg Chatfield, an Aboriginal man from Kamilaroy Country, reflecting on his life, challenges, and experience with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). He shares personal stories about growing up during the Stolen Generation, struggling with societal barriers, and his eventual work in youth programs. Chatfield discusses his diagnosis with MND, the impact it had on his life, and his decision to seek palliative care at Claire Holland House. Through his story, the video highlights the importance of cultural understanding, palliative care, and the support needed for a dignified quality of life.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ Acknowledgement of Nanual country and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past, present, and future.
• 👤 Greg Chatfield shares his personal background, originating from Kamilaroy country and moving to Yass in 1965, where he grew up in a predominantly white society.
• 💔 He reflects on the impacts of the Stolen Generation, discrimination, and exclusion from social activities in his childhood.
• 🏠 Greg recounts memories of government welfare inspections that targeted his family, leading to his feeling of exclusion and hardship growing up without a father figure.
• 🚨 Greg had run-ins with authority, including being sent to a boys' home after his first offense, which he described as a traumatic experience.
• 👷 After leaving school, Greg found work on farms and later helped establish an Aboriginal youth organization called Goongar in Canberra.
• ⚕️ Greg was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) after noticing weakness in his arm, and the diagnosis came as a major shock.
• 💉 Palliative care at Claire Holland House greatly improved his quality of life by managing his pain and helping him stay active for longer.
• 👪 Greg emphasizes how Aboriginal communities often prefer to care for their own, but he acknowledges the importance of external support in palliative care for improving both quality of life and longevity.
• ❤️ Greg expresses gratitude for the care he received at the palliative care facility, noting it allowed him to maintain dignity and spend meaningful time with his family.

Q & A

What is the speaker’s cultural background and connection to Kamilaroy country?

The speaker, Greg Chatfield, has a family origin from Kamilaroy country around Coonabarabran, with the Castlereagh River passing through. His family moved to Yass in 1965, but his cultural roots remain connected to Kamilaroy and Waluman.

How did the Stolen Generation impact Greg Chatfield and his family?

Greg mentions that the effects of the Stolen Generation had a significant impact on their people. His family lived in constant fear of welfare officers who would inspect homes to justify removing children, as happened to Greg's family due to perceived neglect.

What challenges did Greg Chatfield face growing up in a predominantly white society?

Greg recounts feeling excluded from activities like playing tennis or bowls, as these were seen as part of white society. He also dealt with authority issues, which led to trouble with the law and his first offense, eventually being sent to a boys' home where he experienced traumatic events.

What role did Greg Chatfield play in supporting his community?

Greg was heavily involved in supporting his community, especially Aboriginal youth. He helped establish the Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Corporation and was dedicated to finding employment opportunities for people, particularly in construction, despite neglecting his own health in the process.

What health conditions did Greg Chatfield face later in life, and how did he first realize something was wrong?

Greg was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) after experiencing a loss of strength in his left arm, which began after fainting at work. He had previously suffered from a bleeding brain aneurysm. Initially, he was not aware of MND and only learned about it through Dr. Jonathan Williams.

How did Greg’s illness affect his daily life and family relationships?

Greg’s illness, MND, significantly impacted his mobility and strength, making it difficult for him to perform simple tasks. His condition caused emotional strain on his family as they struggled to provide the necessary care in a small house without proper equipment. Greg eventually sought palliative care.

How did Greg initially feel about entering palliative care?

At first, Greg was apprehensive about palliative care, imagining it would be like a hospital ward with limited privacy. However, after a tour of the facility and seeing the care provided, his view changed, and he recognized the importance of proper pain management and support.

What changes did palliative care bring to Greg’s quality of life?

Palliative care greatly improved Greg's quality of life by addressing his pain and helping him manage symptoms. He was able to sleep better, reduce his pain, and spend meaningful time with family. He realized it wasn’t just a place for dying but for living with dignity despite his disease.

What was the significance of cultural care in Greg’s treatment?

Cultural care was vital for Greg’s comfort in palliative care. He trusted the staff to respect his cultural needs, and the care team, particularly Claire Holland House, took steps to ensure he felt culturally safe and supported throughout his stay.

What message does Greg Chatfield share about palliative care and its benefits for the Indigenous community?

Greg encourages his community to consider palliative care as a supportive option rather than suffering in silence. He acknowledges that many in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities prefer to look after their own, but emphasizes the value of palliative care in improving quality of life and extending time with loved ones.