Survivor Stories

Portrait: Kym C

I am a wife, mother of three, and a second grade teacher. By sharing my story, I hope that someone might find comfort in knowing they are not alone and that recovery from brain injury happens at its own pace.

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Portrait: Anonymous

I had a SAH in January, 2019. I was 29 years old at the time: fit, a keen sports person, and it came out of the blue.

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Portrait: Dylan

The doctors in Asheville were straight forward with my mom, telling her there was a 90% chance I wouldn’t make it out of the coma.

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Portrait: Matthew

My name is Matthew and in February 2021 whilst out running I suffered a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage.

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Portrait: Catherine's mum Mimi

This story is about my mum, Mimi, who sadly passed away in August last year following a long battle with a brain injury.

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Portrait: Dave

I had a brain stem bleed in July 2017 at the age of 36, and a TIA 12 months later.  Being young, fit and healthy they were both totally unexpected.

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Atticus Lim: Neither my family nor I knew what to expect

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Veronique Theberge: My brain injury story

Veronique's brain injury was acquired following a brain infection called viral meningo-encephalitis.

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Luke and Ellis Parry: Our Story

A few years ago, my identical twin brother, Luke, suffered a traumatic brain injury. The event would change his life completely but also inspire the work we now dedicate ourselves to. It is a deeply personal story and is central to the company, our ethos and vision.

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Covid led to my strokes

When I had two strokes while working in a high-powered job, it stunned everyone who knew me. It was unexpected. I was very fit; swimming outdoors all year, cycling more than 10 hours a week, and a regular gym-goer. I was a scuba diving instructor in my spare time and didn’t imagine that I would be hit by strokes.

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Challenging times for my family

The last year few years have been challenging for Eva and her husband Antonio. Two years ago, Eva had a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage due to a brain aneurysm.

 

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I was scared. I didn’t know how I was going to support him.

At 29, Chris was a fit and healthy young man, he had a physical job as a carpenter, played football 3 times a week, and could run a half marathon with no training in less than 2 hours. April 21st 2017; Chris got up and out of bed at 6:30am, and I remember these next moments of our lives like they were 2 minutes ago.

 

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Three seconds that changed my life

Brooke was hit by a speeding car in 2007. After 14 years of rehab, he is using his voice and story to increase awareness and understanding of Traumatic Brain Injury.

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Ten years after brain injury: A reflection

Many clinicians told Matt that most of the recovery from a TBI occurs within the first one year, and after that point his recovery would plateau such that his faculties would no longer improve. However, Matt has continued to see positive changes well beyond the first two years of recovery and today, over ten years on, still strives for continued improvements.

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Brain injuries are misunderstood by so many

I had been experiencing what I would say was a very mild, dull headache for a few days. A bit like a hangover and I couldn’t shift it. I later found out I had suffered a severe ruptured aneurysm.

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I suffered a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage while I slept

I read Emilia’s story when she first published it and was touched by how strong she was after going through something so traumatic, but I never thought it would happen to me, until it did.  Here’s Julie’s story... 

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I was screaming to get the paramedics or get me to hospital, but nothing was coming out

Mel is a paramedic and had just returned home from a sporting event and holiday in Europe when she started to feel unwell. She knew she was having a brain bleed, but nobody took her seriously.  Here’s Mel’s story... 

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The stroke hasn’t robbed me of me

When Richard McLean had a stroke, one of the things he found helpful was hearing how other people have responded to having a stroke, to hear their experience. "It’s somehow nice to know that what I’m experiencing, how I’m feeling, others have experienced and felt too" 'Oh yes, that’s quite normal' are some seriously reassuring words right now. Here's Richard's story.....

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I never thought I would have a stroke at 18 years old

Reilly was 18 when he suffered a stroke following a terrible car accident on his drive to school. He contacted Tanja to tell his story, and to talk wanting to raise awareness for brain injury and become a fundraiser for SameYou.  Despite a set back at his most recent hospital visit, Tanja has been blown-away by Reilly's constant positivity and determination to help others understand about brain injury, especially younger people like himself. Here's Reilly's story....

Read Reilly's words