Stories
Stories and achievements
These stories are dedicated to our consumers. Each person along with their family members have a personal story to tell and we at Headstart are proud to celebrate their achievements. Be encouraged and inspired!
Check out some of our video stories:
At 18 Tracey was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The challenge is real, but so is Tracey's courage.
Dayne had dozens of seizures a day. Brain surgery and finding his passion has given Dayne a new lease on life.
Brain cancer left Mark with limited eyesight but he is finally pursuing his passions again.
Scott had a serious motorcycle accident. This is his journey of recovery, and walking again is his main goal.
Chris’s story: a straight shooter
“My noggin copped a floggin’ which has thrown in a few challenges and unfortunately I struggle to make new friends,” says Chris, who had a car accident at 16. Always interested in shooting Chris loves his archery today.
Anne’s story: motivated by family
Since her stroke Anne has made independence an ongoing goal and lives in her own unit. “I haven’t been up to Queensland in 20 years!”, says Anne who recently visited her family with a support worker.
Kerry’s story: don’t stop believing
“I had a brain injury in a farm accident when I was five years old,” says Kerry. “People have got to believe in themselves and have an active mind. I like keep my mind active so I don’t get dementia.”
Amy’s story: the miracle girl
Amy’s neurologist calls her the ‘miracle girl’. A major car accident as a young girl changed her life. But with courage, support of family support - along with some timely medical intervention - she is loving life.
Neil and Tahan’s story: a deep connection
The pool is Neil’s happy place since his stroke. His son Tahan ensures that weekly hydrotherapy remains an important part of his father’s life. “I have been swimming with him for the past two years now,” says Tahan.
Tom’s story: a cowboy at heart
A car accident at 17 years of age may have ended his working life, but life for Tom goes on with Headstart’s support. Daily supports include getting out into the community while helping Tom to maintain his independence at home.
Alan’s story: double dipping
A brain tumour turned Alan’s life upside down but his positive attitude has brought him a long way. “Once a week I go for a pool session with Barry who is a very good motivator,” says Alan.
Hannah's story: happy hydro
“I love being in the water! Makes me feel free. Helps me move around and do something with my body,” says Hannah who had Hydrocephalus (the build of fluid in the brain) which caused an ABI when she was a child.
Wayne B's story: just do it
A car accident changed Waye’s life forever but this hasn’t stopped him getting out doing things with our Rec group. “Wayne loves to go out to all the events and be social.” says Adam, one of his regular CSW’s.
Sandy's story: our 30th anniversary with Headstart
Norm’s daughter Sandy shares about their experience over three decades after an ABI resulted from cardiac arrest and brain hypoxia. “Headstart became a lifeline for Dad and for our family.”
Fleur's story: living in the moment
A cardiac arrest in 2004 changed Fleur’s life forever. Today she gets help from support workers to volunteer as a teachers aide. “I really enjoy working with the children and being around the other teachers.”
Sharon's story: step by step with a smile
Described by her husband Dick as ‘a former workaholic’, accounting whiz and now bookworm Sharon has a real sense of humour, as we discovered while she recovers from a stroke.
Pete's story: a fresh start
After Peter’s tumour surgery he needed a change and moved to Newcastle. “Now I’m getting to know all these great people. Even though we have these little issues with ourselves, we can have a laugh together.”
Jonni's story: a growing family
Born and bred in South Africa, Johanna (or Jonni as she prefers) moved to Australia with her parents when she was 17 years old. Now, she has a family of own. “I’m very lucky,” she says after surviving a car accident.
Eddie's story: a new career
Eddie wanted to get back to work after having a number of strokes and has just completed study to work as a Physiotherapy Assistant. “I feel excited about the health space but at the same time it’s all new!”
Daniel's story: work hard, tan hard
Daniel sustained a brain injury as a boy when he was hit by a car. For much of his adult life Dan has worked at Aruma, “I work every day, it gives me satisfaction.” He also gets the the beach most days!
Sue's story: a colourful heart (video)
“Ive always been an arty crafty girl,” shares Sue who had an aneurism in her fifties. “I was in a hospital for over nine months and in a coma for four months. But God wasn’t ready for me.”
Sean's story: determination personified
After his drug related car accident Sean has completely turned his life around and now he aims for “10,000 steps before breakfast”. He is also getting work ready through some TAFE study.
Gary's story: a man on a mission (video)
“I broke the unbreakable car, a Hilux” shares Gary who survived an impossible car accident and is now a vocal and valued member of Headstart’s Community Education team.
Dave’s story: Guardian Angels
“My brain injury was caused by a fall four years ago,” shares Dave. Before, my life was about drinking. Not any more. Now it’s about going out and enjoying myself in other ways.”
Renai’s story: Telling it like it is
As a member of our Community Education Team (CET), Renai is used to sharing candidly about what living with an ABI is like after she had a serious car accident several decades ago.
Rob’s story: One day at a time
“I don’t make many plans, just take each day as it comes,” says Rob as he shares some of his recovery journey after a serious assault.
Neil’s story: “Happy not dead day”
You can’t keep a good man (or woman) down! Neil and Vicki have made the most of a tough situation that started with a stroke in 2013. This stroke anniversary Neil has big plans.
Nathaniel’s story: bull’s eye!
After being hit by a train Nathaniel began a slow recovery process. While he struggles to get out of bed some mornings he’s recently found something to focus on: archery.
Cheryl’s story: we needed help (video)
Ben sustained a brain injury from a fall, and life changed forever. His mum Cheryl is thankful for Headstart “I‘ve learned that you need a service provider that understands brain injury.” 3 min video.
Ray’s story: a ray of hope
Ray moved to Australia in 2006. Three months later he had a massive stroke. “At first I couldn’t walk, talk or even swallow. But slowly things came back.” Ray now helps HMRI with research.
Gabbi’s story: sew good
Gabbi had a stroke at just 7 yeas of age. Over two decades (and lots of rehab) later she’s got a lot to live for, including sewing. “You’ve got to keep going. You’re here for a reason.” she says.
Ann’s Story: a mother’s perspective
“Initially Brenden was not supposed to survive. Every part of his brain was damaged.” A mother shares candidly about a son who sustained a brain injury after he crashed his Harley.
Rod’s story: flying his flag
Rod went through a car windscreen as a three year old and doesn’t remember it. Today he paints furniture in Aboriginal colours. “I’m 99.9% Aboriginal and I’m proud to know that I’ve got that in me.”
Angie’s story: loving the Central Coast
“My brain injury was caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Sadly my friendships were lost right away.” Angie struggles with memory issues but looks on the bright side life.
Kynan’s story: one of a kind
“I had a brain tumour at the stem of my brain when I was a kid, age seven.” After losing his sight, Kynan looks at the positives and encourages people to just be themselves.
James’s story: a taste for life
Lack of oxygen to James brain means that memory is a challenge. “I lost independence to start off with, but I have regained a lot of it.” James also shares about his ‘hidden disability’.
Mark E’s story: a passion for art
A workplace injury resulted in a bleed to Mark’s brain, causing loss of sight and hearing on his right side. “Now, I love my art classes. It’s a way of releasing the headache from my head.”
Lyn’s story: keeping a sense of humour
“I had an aneurysm which was a bleed to the brain and also a stroke. I can’t remember any of it.” Sixteen years later Lyn manages to smile at life, along with her husband Wayne.
Romeo’s story: 25 years and going strong
“It was a motor vehicle accident. People treat you differently once they know you have a brain injury.” A quarter of a century later we are still supporting Romeo.
Leah’s story: riding high
“Twenty three years ago I had a car crash and died at the scene. Why I’m alive I don’t know!” Before her accident Leah was a champion showjumper. Today she's back on her horse.
Brenden’s story: making the most of it
A motorcycle crash changed Brenden’s life forever. “My left arm doesn’t work. I don’t have balance and my memory is screwed. Life’s different but you’ve just got to deal with it.”
Ricki’s story: snakes alive
Falling out of a moving vehicle caused Ricki severe injuries. “My medical treatment will never end, they say I'll always be someone's patient. But there have been a lot of improvements.”
Leonie’s story: back in the salon
“My doctor sent me for a CT scan and they found a tumour as big as a peach in my head. Then I had three strokes.” Four years - and lots of work later - Leonie is back working in a hair salon.
Tony’s story: time for staying positive
“In 2012 my stroke caused me to become paralysed on my right side. Then my rehab began.” Today Tony says he’s lucky to have been dealt such a blow… and has sold 6000 watches!
Gary L’s story: from surfer to Surfest photographer
“I first fell sixteen feet, and spent three months in hospital. I fell again ten months later.” A roof tiler and surfer before his accident, Gary is now a professional photographer.
Cathy’s story: a picture is worth a thousand words
“I did most of the art before my stroke in 2009. My memory was affected, my speech too. One side is good, the other I can’t move.” Cathy still manages to paint and creates mosaic art.
Kelvin’s story: a life less ordinary
"I suffered a serious injury while working when a heavy object landed on my head, which severely impacted my sight.” This hasn’t stopped Kelvin seeking out the things he loves.
Mark L’s story: a wife’s perspective
“In January 2011 my husband Mark suffered a severe stroke, hospitalising him for 5 months. Mark now requires 24/7 care and is undergoing rehabilitation.” - Mark’s wife, Tracey.
Tim’s story: “Chin up and soldier on”
“My frightening eighteen months began in February 2006. It was spent recovering after being on the receiving end of a semi-trailer began to wind down.”
Dayne’s story: my journey with Headstart
“At age 16 I started having seizures. By the age of 25 I was having over 80 seizures a day and was house bound even if I got out of bed. I had lost all my confidence and only left my house with a family member.”
George’s story: the road to independence
“I was living in an old peoples home which was terrible for a young person like me. I had no independence and whilst some of the old people were really nice, many had dementia and that made it hard to me.”
Jed’s story: onwards and upwards
“I am steadily recovering from my trauma and I understand that everyone needs to be a mature lifelong learner, including those of us who have experienced a severe injury.”
