AFL Legend Danielle Laidley's Brave Battle
Danielle Laidley. The name itself resonates with strength, resilience, and a trailblazing spirit in the AFL. A premiership player, a coach who broke barriers, and a powerful voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. So, when I heard about her recent diagnosis, my heart sank. It felt… surreal, honestly.
Last October, persistent headaches started bothering her. You know how sometimes things just spiral? One thing leads to another, and before you know it, you're facing something you never imagined. That’s exactly what happened to Danielle.
A Diagnosis That Hit Hard
A series of scans later, the news came down: a subependymoma. It’s a rare, benign brain tumor, but its location near her spinal cord made it serious. Danielle described the moment she heard the diagnosis as feeling like she’d been “hit over the head with a sledgehammer.” Can you even imagine? The initial shock led to a lot of reflection – on mortality, on life's priorities, on the need to maybe "wind everything up."
Thankfully, her surgeon reassured her that it wasn't life-threatening, but surgery was needed. That's a huge relief, but still… surgery on your brain? It’s not exactly a walk in the park.
Facing Challenges Head-On
Danielle's openness about this is, to me, a testament to her unwavering strength. Remember her courageous public coming out as transgender in 2020? She's never shied away from living authentically, and this health challenge is no different. She’s using her platform to raise awareness, sharing her story, and reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, "with the right care and empathy…everything’s going to be OK.”
Her career has been a mix of incredible highs – winning a premiership, coaching at the highest level – and devastating lows, battling addiction and navigating the complexities of gender dysphoria from a young age. It's a powerful story of perseverance, and one that inspires many of us to embrace our true selves.
It’s heartbreaking she had to postpone an appearance at the ChillOut Festival. I know how much her advocacy work means to her.
Looking Towards the Future
As Danielle prepares for surgery, she's facing the future with a mix of apprehension and hope. Her story is such a powerful reminder of the importance of open communication about health, the strength that comes from sharing our experiences, and the immeasurable value of support from loved ones. Her partner, Donna Leckie, is clearly a rock for her, and their strength shines through.
The entire AFL community, along with so many others, is sending their love and well wishes for a full and speedy recovery. We're all rooting for you, Danielle. We’re here for you.
To learn more about Danielle's incredible journey, listen to her episode on The Imperfects Podcast.
