They describe the good days, “getting a hug, getting a kiss, saying ‘Dad’,” says Alex James-Elliott about life with his son Taj. “Max has complete contempt for sport,” laughs Mat, the former Wallabies player and more recently a competitor on Australian Survivor. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. In fact, as life has gone on and the initial shock of his diagnosis wore off, Max gave Mat something he never knew he was missing. @isuzuute_aus linktr.ee/mat_rogers6. “I love you,” Max told them. Founder: @4asdkidscharity @rp_multisport. Not long after that came those three special words that meant everything to Mat and Chloe. References Footy star Mat Rogers: My son's diagnosis changed my life. "It can be a pretty dark place in those early days, but there's certainly a light at the end of the tunnel that we didn't see," he said. Known for his season-long rivalry with Robbie Skibicki in 2018, Mat began the game in the majority, and formed many genuine friendships, mainly with Steve Willis and Sharn Coombes, as well as finding a Hidden Immunity Idol with Moana Hope. Not often I get to hang out with this awesome foursome. AS the son of one of rugby league's best players, Mat Rogers had a real dilemma when rugby union came calling. MAT ROGERS. ie patch together,” Mat smiles. He is 45 years old and is a Aquarius. Mat Rogers did extensive research on vaccinations when his son was diagnosed with autism, and has a message for anti-vaxxers. That, at least, was the experience of Mat Rogers and Chloe Maxwell. It’s a message he wanted to pass on to other dads and Mat’s opportunity came knocking in November 2018. As of 2016, the charity had raised over $1.6m. DON ROGERS, the brother of Wallabies rugby union star Mat Rogers, has been rushed to a Sydney hospital after reportedly taking a drug overdose. For Rogers and his wife, Chloe Maxwell, the initial diagnosis was difficult. But autism can present differently in girls, and can therefore go undiagnosed. Mat Roger’s teenage son Jack is set to follow in the famous footsteps of his dad and grandad. Mathew Steve Rogers (born 1 February 1976) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He has been married to Chloe Maxwell since October 26, 2008. Former rugby league player Mat Rogers understands this statistic all too well - his son, Max, was diagnosed with the developmental condition when he was three years old. Eventually, when Max was 2½-years-old, he was diagnosed with autism. Mat credits his boy with changing his whole family for the better. My mind went straight to footy. Hear sporting legend and National Carers Week ambassador Mat Rogers talk about what he's learnt from his son Max who was diagnosed with autism. “We met at the launch,” Mat says. "Max certainly needed help in the early days, but he's flying now.". Mat Rogers hangs with then three-year-old son Max, the age he was diagnosed with autism. Matthew S. “Mat” Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. Carrying the name of a famous father can be a burden to some, but to Mat Rogers it was a gift. Sporting legend and Australian Survivor star Mat Rogers and wife Chloe Maxwell on their romance, family and Mat's loss and heartbreak over his father Steve, as well as their autistic son. “Like that, it just stopped,” Mat, now 43, tells New Idea. Mat Rogers. the bad days when bedtime could take until 1am says Chris Doherty from Lidcombe; and how, now, they wouldn’t change their situation for the world. “He said ‘Dad’ for the first time.”. Chloe was thinking about whether he’d have a girlfriend.”. it was decided Max would go to a special school where he could have full time therapy. The results blew everyone away. Mat Rogers is a former professional rugby league & rugby union player and the son of league great Steve Rogers. “Before that it had been like living with a little zombie,” Mat says. “There was this moment at the beach,” Mat remembers. Anyone who knows Steve ‘Sludge’’ Rogers’ eldest son, brother of dual international Mat Rogers and sister, Melanie, also knows the past decade has been far from an easy one. On Jan. 3, 2006, Mat’s father, rugby-league great Steve Rogers, 51, who had been depressed, died after taking prescription drugs and alcohol (his death was accidental, ruled the NSW coroner). Within a month he was able to say and answer to his name and he started using eye contact. My mind went straight to foot, Chloe was thinking about whether he’d have a girlfriend.”, The family, which included Mat’s two older kids. ‘What are you doing here? The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks as well. He also played rugby union at the highest level, becoming a dual-code international. Back in 2010, when their son, Max was first diagnosed with an ASD, the celebrity couple had many dark days and found themselves struggling to cope. The 20-year-old rugby star has been scoring plenty of tries playing for … It would take another year and a lot of heartache for Mat and his TV presenter wife Chloe Maxwell to find out what that was. “I meet a lot of families but it’s hard. Mat Rogers, 44, is a former dual-code international who represented Australia in both rugby league and union. ithin a month he was able to say and answer to his name and he started using eye contact. It made me understand what the world’s really about. Your chance to win a share in $25,000!-SAVE UP TO 41%, tting on his mum and dad’s bed an 18-month. He gave me purpose and a new focus and I think I played better than I ever did in the last few years of my career because of Max.”. 'Classical autism' is typically diagnosed at two years of age, when it's apparent the child is not meeting developmental milestones. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks as well. Could he play? When Chloe Maxwell and Mat Rogers welcomed their son Max in 2006, like all new parents, they were convinced he was a perfect baby. Mat Rogers & Chloe Maxwell: How our son is beating autism. Mat Rogers, Self: Australian Survivor. 10 years on, Max is thriving. 'Max certainly needed help in the early days, but he's flying now.'. “He’s a great little swimmer but he’s not keen on competing or team games. Until one day, when Mat asked for his morning cuddle and Max turned away. Parents of children with autism will nod, smile, laugh, shed a tear – and gain great insight and encouragement - from a moving new documentary called DAD. They describe the good days, “getting a hug, getting a kiss, saying ‘. I knew in my heart then, there was something wrong.”, It would take another year and a lot of heartache for Mat and his, to find out what that was. This donation was made possible because of you support. Jack Rogers, son of dual international Mat Rogers and grandson of Cronulla Sharks Immortal the late Steve Rogers, will look to follow in their footsteps when he signs with the Sharks this week. and he’s finding his way with interests like science and music. Mat Rogers $20.00 6/05/2021 David Angus Thanks to all that bought an Initium Eyewear frame from Ashmore Optical. WATCH: Australian Survivor rocked by ‘cheating’ scandal after Harry Hills finds hidden immunity idol. Max was struggling to crawl when many kids his age were already walking. Rogers' son Mat Rogers - who plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in rugby union's Super 14 competition - confirmed through a club spokesman today that … The family, which included Mat’s two older kids, Jack and Skyla, and his and Chloe’s daughter, Phoenix, were thrown into the unknown. “It humbled me. Rogers playe… But there were other signs things were not quite as they should be. The star couple were devastated when their young son retreated into a … “He gave me purpose and a new focus and I think I played better than I ever did in the last few years of my career because of Max.”. Right now, one in 100 Australians are on the autism spectrum. He played in two State of Origin seriesfor Queensland (1999 and 2000), and 7 Tests for the Australian national side (1998 to 2000) before his switch to union in 2001. Those diagnosed on the autism spectrum often have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive interests and behaviours. Football legend Mat Rogers couldn't be prouder of his son Max, who is on the spectrum. Right now, one in 100 Australians are on the autism spectrum. For more, pick up the latest copy of New Idea on sale now! “He said ‘, Max is 13 now and of course there have been, “Max has complete contempt for sport,” laughs Mat, the former Wallabies player and more recently a competitor on. “It humbled me. Now living on the Gold Coast, the legendary Mat Rogers retired from Rugby League in October of 2011 after taking the Titans to that year’s nail biting NRL grand final. Eventually, when Max was, “I didn’t know anything about it and you immediately go to the things you think your kid won’t be able to do. Sitting on his mum and dad’s bed an 18-month-old Max would clamber onto his daddy, football legend Mat Rogers, and give him a kiss. Until one day, when Mat asked for his morning cuddle and Max turned away. I’ll never forget it, he was such a lost soul. “We joked that he was just over me, growing up.”. You don’t know how much you need eye contact until you don’t have it.”, o Max could show me some things,” Mat says. AT 33, Mat Rogers has lost both parents, played a rugby World Cup and represented his state and country in rugby league. I’ve felt it.”, This Father’s Day Mat and his family are in a great place though. You don’t know how much you need eye contact until you don’t have it.”. ‘He’s taught me more than anyone else’ - by Emma Levett. Rogers already had two children from a prior relationship. Rogers's son, the Australian rugby five-eighth Mat, rushed to the unit to formally identify his father after being contacted by a policeman who was a neighbour of his father. “He’s a great little swimmer but he’s not keen on competing or team games. Although there's no known cause, it's believed genetics and environmental factors can play a role. He was a dual international with rugby league career seeing him feature in 200 first grade games for the Cronulla Sharks & Gold Coast Titans scoring 106 trys and 465 goals. “He’s taken me to a whole new world.”. Few players have achieved as much as Mat has in both League and Union Rugby, with 4 years with the Titans, after five years representing the Waratahs and Australian Wallabies. Mat credits his boy with changing his whole family for the better. Gallery. NRL great Mat Rogers says there's "no evidence" to support anti-vaxxers, as Gold Coast Titans star Bryce Cartwright looks set to backflip on his own stance. They have two children. “Chloe cried herself to sleep that first night and didn’t get out of bed for a week,” Mat says. The film interviews 12 dads from all over Australia each of whom has gone on their own journey with a child who has autism. All the kids were in the water laughing and having the best time and Max was sitting on the shore, refusing, to go near the water and he screamed the whole time. "There was so much fear and not knowing what the future held for us," Rogers recalls. I’m an emotional mess because I know the pain. I knew in my heart then, there was something wrong.”. He's just started high school, and has a keen love of gardening. I’ll never forget it, he was such a lost soul. “He’s taught me more than anyone else,” says Mat, who has since set up a charity with Chloe to sponsor kids affected by autism. Max is at a mainstream high school. "I've really seen him come out of his shell in the last three months, and it's been fantastic.". “It was 30 degrees and the ocean was so flat. “In the autistic space some dads are amazing, but some run,” Mat says. “I meet a lot of families, but it’s hard. Being female appears to protect the brain from many developmental disabilities. And it’s not just his dad that Max has helped and shaped. “He loves gardening and we work on the vegie patch together,” Mat smiles. “It was tough for all of us but we had to get it together or what hope did Max have?”. Autism also affects four times as many boys than girls. @survivorau S3 & All Stars. Rogers and Maxwell founded the charity 4 ASD Kids in 2009. Autism Awareness Australia was making a film for dads of kids with autism about the dads of kids with autism. Follow Mat on Twitter | Instagram. "He's going great," Rogers tells The Morning Show on World Autism Awareness Day. High profile couple Mat Rogers (ex-footballer) and Chloe Maxwell (TV presenter) know all too well the dark journey that parents face when their child is diagnosed with autism. Sitting on his mum and dad’s bed an 18-month-old Max would clamber on to his daddy, football legend Mat Rogers, and give him a kiss. Don did not make first grade but Mat played 123 … 1994 Don and Mat Rogers, sons of former Cronulla great Steve Rogers, sign with the Sharks for 1994. !’ Kylie Gillies gets a birthday surprise live on air, How to get the latest celebrity makeup trend: natural luminous skin, Centrelink boss shares everything you need to know about parental leave and partner payments, Morning Show host Kylie Gillies in tears and ‘about to vomit’ after son’s prank phone call, Meghan’s drama teacher opens up about royal’s past and relationship with estranged father. And can therefore go undiagnosed was thinking about whether he ’ s about other and. ' full interview on the morning Show on world autism Awareness day cried herself to sleep first! Thanks to all that bought an Initium Eyewear frame from Ashmore Optical in leaps bounds... Regency Sanctuary Cove Resort on the spectrum it any other way 's diagnosis changed my life appears to protect brain. For more, pick up the latest copy of new Idea on now. 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