LIVING A GREAT LIFE WITH EPILEPSY –
TONY GREIG’S STORY
The legend of Tony Greig as a cricketer, players’ rights pioneer, media commentator, and sports entrepreneur is well known. In the late 1970’s Tony, along with Kerry Packer, became globally known for the introduction of World Series Cricket – a revolution that took cricket to a whole new level and changed the game forever.
Far less known is Tony’s personal battle with epilepsy, which he lived with from his early teenage years. In adult life, Tony and his wife Vivian knew how important it was to manage his lifestyle and condition so that he could pursue his professional cricket and media career and enjoy family life. His own experiences gave him personal insight into the needs of others with epilepsy.
Tony was passionate about raising epilepsy awareness and helping others. He served as an Ambassador for people with epilepsy, and as a Director on the Epilepsy Action Australia Board, for nearly two decades until his untimely death.
Each year Tony Greig would welcome us to another summer of cricket by jamming his hotel key into the ground for his iconic pitch report. The legacy of Tony’s key lives on through Epilepsy Action Australia’s “MyEpilepsyKey”.
This key shaped USB stick provides access to information, interactive resources, education, service programs and special resources that will better allow those impacted by epilepsy to effectively self-manage their condition.
The ‘key’ format for this project was inspired by the legend of Tony’s key to test the cricket pitch, but it was also chosen because it is small, portable, practical, and appealing, and its small size lends itself to being easily distributed through hospitals, doctors, clinics and retail outlets.
Our goal is to provide the Key to every person or family affected by epilepsy in Australia. This is a fitting tribute to Tony Greig and his remarkable contribution.
EPILEPSY FACTS
Number of Australians who will be diagnosed with Epilepsy at some stage in their lifetime
%
Those diagnosed who are children
%
Percentage of those diagnosed who cannot get control of their seizures despite medication
Number of people diagnosed wordwide each year
WHY IS SELF MANAGEMENT SO IMPORTANT?
HELPS
People to be on the lookout for their seizure ‘triggers’
DECREASES
The need for emergency medical intervention
REDUCES
Stress and anxiety through better education
SIGNIFICANTLY
Improves independence and quality of life
