Sam

I was in a horrific motorcycle accident on 2 February 2014.

My injuries were many. The worst was a head injury which resulted in my being diagnosed with ABI. I also had a fractured skull at base of my head and had to wear neck brace for 2–3 months. I had a blood clot in my brain at my frontal lobe, which was removed within a few days of the accident. Part of my right frontal lobe was removed which resulted in my left arm and leg being affected. I think I was in an induced coma lasting several weeks.

I also had fractures in two places in my spine which meant I had to wear full back brace for three months. I had a collapsed lung and was fitted with a tracheostomy tube. Other injuries were a wrist fracture and bad wounds on my left leg.

I had to lie flat on my back for a very long time, unable to speak, and there were many challenges. I was unable to eat so was fed through tube in my stomach. I hated that and sometimes it was infected.

My family were my life savers – my Mom and Dad, sister, brother and my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and I had another two-year-old at home.

I think my rehabilitation started when I came off the tracheostomy tube. It was slow but steady, from Royal Perth Hospital to Shenton Park Hospital, and many amazing people (staff) were part of that journey.

From being told I was going to be a vegetable, to my brain surgeon who predicted that I was going to walk with a limp and write things down to help with my short-term memory loss. He was proven correct, and unbelievably I walked.

In 2016 I was under Brightwater where I continued my rehabilitation by learning to live and cook on my own. After about eight months there I found that the loneliness got to me and my parents agreed that I move back home where I was surrounded by my family. From there I continued to get to a better place in my mind and body.

Unfortunately, my marriage did not survive this. I tried a second marriage in 2018 but it also failed after a year. I lost my dad at the same time – he was my rock. I am now living with my Mum who is 74 and we support each other.

Having ABI has it challenges. I cannot work at my trade, but I have volunteered at People Who Care for a couple of years on and off. In 2018, after four years of being unable to drive, I began the process of obtaining my driver’s licence with the help of wonderful occupational therapists. This was huge for me.

It took a while but by August 2018 I obtained my driver’s licence with conditions. I am able to drive an automatic transmission vehicle with a spinner knob fitted to the steering wheel. I also have to continue with my anti-seizure medication because of a seizure I had in February 2015. I’ve never had another one but continue with this medication