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At 6.15am on a Tuesday morning I peeled off from my usual cycling group ride before work and was hit by a car at a roundabout.

I was taken by ambulance straight to RPH where it was determined I had sustained a traumatic brain injury which had affected significantly my cognitive function. It was difficult to recognise people and communicate, let alone understanding what people were saying during conversations. I had to ask people constantly to repeat what they said.

As my right leg was affected, my ankle was unable to support my weight and I was physically unable to get out of bed or stand unaided. As a very active person, it was extremely frustrating not being able to get up and needing a wheelchair to get me around.

I also have vestibular disfunction and double vision (vertical diplopia).

After nine days at RPH, I was moved to Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH). This is where all my rehabilitation therapy started Neph S RS PATIENT STORY for which I am very grateful. Every day, I was taken through rehab sessions by a dedicated physiotherapist and occupational therapist.

Getting myself moving and participating was not an easy task, but with the persistence of committed and enthusiastic team at the acquired brain injury ward I was discharged after two weeks Taking all opportunities available, I continued with the outpatient rehabilitation sessions at FSH. After completing FSH outpatient rehabilitation program, I had a private occupational therapist who helped me with a gradual return to work program. I also persisted going to neurophysiological rehab to strengthen my right leg and desensitize my vestibular imbalance.

Now, two years and one month since the accident, I am very grateful to be able to run and ride my bike again, albeit cautiously and to a moderate degree. I also work as an accounts officer in a permanent parttime position twice a week with Australian Baptist Education Inc for the past year.

I am cognisant of the fact that I still get fatigued, have extreme left gaze diplopia, vestibular dysfunction and mild aphasia. There is still work to do, through which I hope I will continue to improve.