Mark Tonga - ReMARKable and Resilient
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 18% of Australians live with a disability,. With great resilience, and after a 2008 rugby accident resulted in quadraplegia, Mark Tonga has advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. Today we speak to Mark about the contributions that both he and the rugby community have made towards this cause. We open our conversation by exploring the advisory role that Mark plays on boards, as well as his Chairman role with the Disability Council of NSW. Mark talks about how he suffered his injury and his process in adjusting to his new life. We discuss the work that organisations like the Hearts in Union Rugby Foundation do to support those living with disabilities. After sharing how the rugby community has rallied behind the cause, we ask Mark for his thoughts on rugby and its combative nature. His answer highlights how the valuable skills that are learned by playing the sport far outweigh the low risk of injury. We touch on Mark’s motivations, greatest achievements, how technology assists him in daily life, and how Mark has discovered new passions — like opera. Near the end of the episode, Mark gives listeners his take on what he wants to see in Australian rugby. An inspiring example of resilience and positivity, tune in to hear Mark’s story.
Key Points From This Episode:
• Exploring Mark's role as a disabilities advocate on various disability councils.
• Mark shares details of the catastrophic accident that left him as a tetraplegic.
• Adjusting to your new life as someone with a disability.
• How Mark’s family dealt with his accident — it happened soon after his mother passed.
• The support that the Hearts in Union Foundation gives to people with disabilities.
• Insights into how the rugby community advocates for people with disabilities.
• What Mark would say to critics who think that rugby is too combative.
• Mark discusses his motivations in lobbying for change, along with his greatest achievements
Studying his Masters at UNSW on scholarship and how honoured he is
• The perspective shifts around disability that Mark would like to see happen.
• With advances in technology, why now is a “good time to have a disability.”
• Discovering new passions — as one door closes, another can open.
• Why Mark is looking forward to the next decade of Australian rugby.
• Mark talks about what the future holds for him.
• How Mark’s community and mentors helped him to rebuild his life.
“Respect, leadership, camaraderie. You pick these skills up while playing rugby and they far outweigh any risks from playing.” — @MarkTonga[0:15:16]
"Medical science has allowed people like me, with high level serious disabilities, the technology to assist us and allow us to live a productive and full life"@MarkTonga[0:19:40]
Physical Disability Council of New South Wales
Hearts in Union Rugby Foundation
