Sunshine Coast veteran and Legacy Brisbane volunteer, Brett Green, shares his story for Anzac Day
Queensland war veteran Brett Green’s wife watched in horror as her super fit husband’s fingers and toes turned blue, he fell over and banged his head against a wall. After surviving Afghanistan, his battles were only just beginning.
Sunshine Coast
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A Sunshine Coast veteran has shared his incredible journey from fighting for our country to being diagnosed with brain cancer, being discharged from service, surviving multiple surgeries and working to support South-East Queensland families who lost loved ones in war.
Joining Legacy Brisbane at 36 years old, Brett Green became one of the organisation’s youngest Legatees.
He was guided towards the organisation by his commander who benefited from Legacy as a child after he lost his father in the Vietnam War.
Now aged 44, and living in Buderim with his wife and 12-year-old son, Mr Green pours his heart and soul into providing invaluable support to the families of veterans who have given their lives or health through their service.
He understands first-hand the support and lifeline Legacy provides to Australian veterans and their families.
Mr Green has experienced a health journey of his own that encapsulates the brutal reality and soaring triumphs of military life and its aftermath.
In addition to being a Legatee, Mr Green also plays an active role in organising Anzac Day services in Buderim and is this year’s MC.
At just 17, Mr Green enlisted in the army and rose through the ranks to become an Army Major and served in Afghanistan and East Timor.
When he was 34 tragedy struck and he was diagnosed with brain cancer and epilepsy, leading him to be medically discharged.
“I was fit, healthy and well but had this awful headache out of nowhere that lasted about a week,” Mr Green said.
“The day it happened I remember feeling something wasn’t quite right. Then my fingers and toes turned blue and I had a massive seizure.
“I fell over and banged my head against the wall.
“My wife was terrified and thought I was dying.”
Recalling the day he nearly died, Mr Green said he was amazed by his wife’s bravery.
“My entire body was turning blue … she’d never seen anything like it,” he said.
“It was horrific and she had no phone service. She had drag me out of the house and try to get someone’s attention out front.
“She was a legend that day.”
A series of scans later and Mr Green was being wheeled in for his first brain surgery.
Fortunately the medical team was able to remove the bulk of the lesion.
The rare cancer continued to attack the veteran and he underwent more surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation.
He was also still experiencing partial seizures at home.
Unable to do his job or handle weapons and explosives, Mr Green was medically discharged.
For some time he was scared of what would happen to his beautiful little family if the brain cancer killed him.
“I decided this is my mission to make sure they’re okay and looked after,” Mr Green said.
“So that’s when I called Legacy and was connected with a support worker.
“It was reassuring to know Legacy would step in and look after my family if something happened. It goes back to their vision to make sure families of veterans who lose veterans don’t suffer financially.”
Committed to continuing to support Australia’s service community despite his health battles, Mr Green joined Legacy Brisbane as a volunteer Legatee in 2016.
“I’m the luckiest and happiest bloke with a hole in his head,” Mr Green said.
“I might have a hole in my brain but at least I’m here.
“Somehow I’m in a much better situation than most. I’ve been to far too many funerals for people with cancer.”
This Anzac Day Mr Green is calling on the community to support Legacy’s work by joining Legacy Brisbane as Legatees.
Mr Green said on the Sunshine Coast alone Legacy was connected to more than 675 family members of veterans.
“To be a legacy volunteer now you don’t even have to have a service background,” Mr Green said.
“You just need to believe that we should look after the families of those who have served our country.”
Mr Green still has scans every 12 months and suffers fatigue from his brain cancer.
“With Anzac Day coming up as you look around I’d just ask that you also spare a thought for the families of servicemen and women who have been left with that trauma and loss,” Mr Green said.
“Along with our fallen veterans.”
Founded in 1923 on a promise made from one digger to another to “look after the missus and kids”, Legacy supports the families of our servicemen and women who have lost their lives or their health as a result of their service.
Today, 101 years on, Legacy supports more than 40,000 people across Australia offering financial, social connection and development support services.
You can support Legacy Brisbane by donating here.
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