When Claire* was in her twenties, life was full of momentum. She was married, had just bought a home, and was building her future. But a serious workplace accident changed everything. After sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury, Claire was left with significant mobility, cognitive and communication challenges. Her marriage ended, and she moved into her mother’s home, living in the downstairs garage.
Despite strong support from allied health professionals, Claire struggled to take the next step toward living independently. Her family, deeply protective, feared for her safety. With the help of a Synapse advocate, Claire began navigating these difficult conversations, gradually building confidence and trust over the course of 18 months.
At first, the advocate led many of the discussions, helping mediate family concerns and overcome barriers such as home maintenance issues and staffing challenges. Over time, Claire took the lead, with the advocate stepping back to provide reassurance and encouragement as she found her voice.
Today, Claire lives independently in her own home. Her family visit regularly, and her confidence and quality of life have grown enormously. Synapse’s advocacy service was the bridge between professional support and personal empowerment, helping Claire move from dependence to choice, and from uncertainty to confidence.
*Name changed