#006 Off the Pitch with Active: Interview with Shane Hillman, a husband, a father, a granddad and coach, living in extraordinary circumstances

Picture this in your mind "When life is busy and great, you got a
lovely wife or husband, beautiful kids. Work is going great,
perhaps you love coaching or helping out your children’s club on
your free time.


You just had a mile stone birthday and recently became a
Grandparent, possibly the greatest gift any parent can get. And
it gets better, you are about to pick up your youngest child from
school on a Friday afternoon for a weekend camping with the whole
family."


Then it is easy to feel on top of the world and full of energy.
This is normal life for many parents. We may not coach but we are
working hard to get kids to school, training and games. But it is
worth it when we watch them play and see them develop and have
fun.


I think many of us take it for granted, we never really stop and
think about how lucky we are. It’s much easier to complain, isn’t
it?..... How stressed we are, how much work it is and how we
really deserve a break we never get.


This is a story of Shane Hillman and his family. Shane’s story
will teach us all to appreciate life, the opportunities we get
and the friend around us while we still can. It will teach us, no
matter what happens, we shall continue with a “can-do” attitude.
Continue to do our best and most of all enjoy moments.


Shane, a husband, a father, a Granddad and coach of his son Josh
team experienced all of this when he suddenly had his life turned
upside down diagnosed with brain cancer.


I will let Shane tell the story so here he is…


2:15     Introducing Shane Hillman


6:15     Shane’s back ground and how he met
Deborah (a childhood sweetheart)


13:00   Shane start coaching


17:30   Shane step back to assistant coach to provide
different opportunities for his son to develop.


21:45   Life is progressing everything is going great.
Shane got a coaching role with an South Australia State Futsal
team gearing up for the national’s but then life is taking a sad
turn


27:15   Doctor’s prognoses and family adjustment into a
new life


31:30   Journey back to coaching and competing in the
Australian Futsal Nationals


44:15   In spite of the challenges at home Josh keep
pursuing his soccer and futsal leading to great opportunities.


50:30   Deborah, Shane’s greatest support have the
final words….for now


53:30   This is the reason why you should care and
understand both the kids you coach and their parents.


The Hillman family don’t wish any personal donations but instead
they would encourage donations to
https://www.curebraincancer.org.au/donations


If you haven’t read Ross Monteleone article here it is


http://www.curebraincancer.org.au/news/1595/shanes-inspiring-brain-cancer-story