Nathan Buckley opens up about partner Brodie Ryan having epilepsy

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley has opened up about how he is supporting his partner Brodie Ryan as she tries to understand more about a condition she’s lived with for years.

Nathan Buckley has revealed a deep personal connection to epilepsy with his partner Brodie Ryan suffering from seizures.

The Collingwood legend and Fox Footy commentator says the neurological disorder often comes with a stigma which he’s hoping will become better understood.

“It’s Brodes’ story to tell but she’s had a few seizures over the last four or five years and she’s still in the process of working out exactly what that is for her,’’ Buckley said.

“She’s had one or two (seizures) over the last two and a half years in our relationship and we’re in the process of working out what’s going on and getting to the bottom of it. As you can imagine it’s pretty scary going from operating to effectively glitching so she’s in the process of working out what is causing it and how it’s coming about.

Nathan Buckley has been supporting Brodie Ryan as she tries to understand more about her epilepsy.

“We sweep it under the carpet rather than getting in front of it. There’s a stigma with a lot of afflictions and epilepsy is one of them. Eventually she’ll understand it a bit better.”

Buckley is joining forces with fellow footy greats Neil Balme and Brett Ratten next month to support a cause close to their hearts ‘Walk for Epilepsy’.

They will form teams and take part in a treadmill challenge in October at Fitness First Richmond to raise awareness and funds.

All three have been personally affected — Balme has epilepsy, as does Ratten’s daughter Tilly — which has inspired them to champion the cause.

Brett Ratten, Neil Balme and Nathan Buckley are taking part in ‘Walk for Epilepsy’.

“Brodes wouldn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her,’’ Buckley said.

“These are real things and a lot more than most are dealing with.

“If you look at the one in 25 that are diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime, she’s the one. You’ve got three guys there, Ratts, Balmey and my partner as examples of three people in some shape or form who are affected by it and have it in their lives.

“There’s a lot of fear in it for Brodes and for anyone that it happens to because you can be operating at 100 per cent and then all of a sudden wake up looking at the ceiling and wondering what’s happened.”

Ryan said she had been dealing with blackouts and seizures for the past eight years.

“They found a brain tumour/ growth in the centre of my brain in 2016 when I started having blackouts and seizures,’’ she said.

“I have regular scans every 1-2 years to monitor. I have a few of them a year. Been under the care of a neurosurgeon since 2016. The growth is benign — we are working out if my seizures are due to the pressure of the growth or possibly epilepsy.

“This is nothing new or scary for me as I have been dealing with it for eight years. It’s just life. I am fine and not stressed about it.”

She added: “I don’t tell many people as I don’t want to worry anyone or be treated differently or evoke sympathy as I am super ok and fine. I take suitable precautions and live life normally and have one of the best neurosurgeons in Melbourne.”

This year, people have the option of taking on the 1 in 25 Challenge — walk, run or ride 100km in 25 days.

walkforepilepsy.org.au