42-year-old Sean Gardner was an aluminium Welder and competitive waterski racer before an accident in New Zealand changed the course of his life.
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Jalen was a keen AFL player working in traffic control when he attended a family event, then woke up three weeks later in hospital.
Read more
10 years ago, Angela’s life as a mum and Beauty Therapist changed forever doing what most Australian families do every weekend, emptying the camper trailer.
Read more
In 2001, Dave was an eager student keen to study IT at university when one day on his way to school he pulled out in front of a car. Dave, unfortunately, suffered a brain injury and spent seven months recovering in hospital.
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In 2015, Patty was working and didn’t feel well. Later that day Patty decided to go to hospital and that was when Patty had a stroke, leaving her with a brain injury at 52.
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At 18 Ros was driving along a country bitumen road with four of her friends from boarding school and ended up having a car accident. While her friends thankfully walked away unscathed, Ros suffered a brain injury.
Read moreAfter Harrison’s* mother and carer passed away, he was left to navigate a complex estate situation. Synapse advocates worked with Harrison to find the legal support required to reach a positive outcome that has since seen him living in his own home.
Read moreAfter a motor vehicle accident left Catherine* in a wheelchair with a brain injury, her life changed completely and she had to live with her parents. Synapse supported Catherine and her family to gradually transition her to independent living and fuller life.
Read moreIn 2020, Matthew* suffered multiple strokes which resulted in severe disability. After struggling to get suitable care through the Public Guardian, Matthew's friends and the Synapse Advocacy Team took action. Thanks to the support of his family, friends and the efforts of Matthew’s advocate at Synapse, he now has greater control over decisions regarding his care.
Read more
Kathy Rees and her daughter Belinda “B” Buckler were in a freak car accident in a flooded causeway in 1983 that left B with an Acquired Brain Injury.
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After a traumatic brain injury left him unable to continue working, Urs Birrer has begun an exciting new phase of his life and recovery, volunteering and inspiring others to do the same.
Read more
Cheryl Dedman and her husband desperately wanted a second child but, with Cheryl having lost pituitary function as a result of a brain tumour, it wasn’t to be. Shortly after adopting their son, Jacob, the couple began to notice distinct differences in his behaviour and development.
Read more
Cheryl Dedman knows more about brain injury than most, having experienced it both personally, and as the adoptive parent of a teenager diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Read more
In 2011 Kris Tucker experienced a brain bleed from an aneurysm, and subsequently a stroke. While the road since then has been challenging, Kris says that even amidst endless unknowns you must hold on to hope.
Read more
In 2014, Danny Trestrail suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Challenges notwithstanding, Danny is still happy with the direction his life has taken.
Read more
For Narelle Hawkins, the lack of understanding and empathy for brain injury isn’t just frustrating, it’s devastating – leaving her son Todd isolated and in despair.
Read more
Campbelltown woman Anne-Maree Hart sustained a head injury because of a serious domestic violence incident.
Read more
Danette Rowse, from Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains, was a 48 year old mum of two when, after sunspot removal, she blacked out at the wheel, colliding with another vehicle and suffering extensive injuries.
Read more
In 2010, Julian was in an accident that left him with a brain injury. Support from family and a positive outlook has driven his recovery.
Read more
In 1992, the Australian Government sent three telegrams to Michael Liang Sen Yan’s hometown in China to let his parents know that he had suffered a car accident.
Read more
Phil and Abbie have been married for 35 years, navigating the highs and lows of family life with a brain injury.
Read more
At just 22 years of age, a blood clot in Caitlin's brain caused her to collapse at home. After intensive rehabilitation, Catilin is taking a positive outlook on recovery.
Read more
24-year-old Caitlin Reid, from NSW, says that while a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) brought a succession of challenges, with that also came enormous personal and professional growth.
Read more
Meredith’s daughter Ari was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 17. Meredith shares her experience as a carer, the impact of brain injury on her own life, and how she takes care of her own wellbeing.
Read more
Leanne Hall cares for two complex needs children and has struggled for years to organise support from the NDIS for her son, Ollie. Rachael Kernick of Synapse became part of 'Team Ollie', and has contributed to life-changing funding for the family.
Read more
Sarah had just crossed the finish line of a triathlon on the Gold Coast when her brain "shut down". It took her over two years to discover what had happened: a virus aggressively inflamed her central nervous system.
Read more
Damien's story highlights the importance of a solid support network to motivate you through your rehabilitation and recovery.
Read more
Kate has experienced two episodes of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) - an extremely rare and often fatal disease.
Read more
In November 2017, Shelby had just finished a two week tour around Australia with her band The Beautiful Monument, when she was admitted into The Austin Hospital in Melbourne with an unknown illness.
Read more
As a child in 1998, Tim was in an accident that caused traumatic brain injury. His long journey of recovery and discovery has lead him to focus his energy on others.
Read more
In 2011, Les Clarence’ fit and healthy 55-year-old wife Franziska suffered a stroke in her sleep.
Read more
In February 1993, Julie was working as a flight attendant when she began experiencing persistent headaches.
Read more
David Trahair has an acquired brain injury as a result of a fall at home. David and his wife Nicki hold the Beans 4 Brains Fun Run annually.
Read more
When David was 11 years old, he acquired a brain injury through a horse riding accident.
Read more
Nick Lonie is the former Chairman of Headwest. His brain injury occurred after he fell from the back of a moving ute.
Read moreAfter Harrison’s* mother and carer passed away, he was left to navigate a complex estate situation. Synapse advocates worked with Harrison to find the legal support required to reach a positive outcome that has since seen him living in his own home.
Read moreAfter a motor vehicle accident left Catherine* in a wheelchair with a brain injury, her life changed completely and she had to live with her parents. Synapse supported Catherine and her family to gradually transition her to independent living and fuller life.
Read moreIn 2020, Matthew* suffered multiple strokes which resulted in severe disability. After struggling to get suitable care through the Public Guardian, Matthew's friends and the Synapse Advocacy Team took action. Thanks to the support of his family, friends and the efforts of Matthew’s advocate at Synapse, he now has greater control over decisions regarding his care.
Read more Kathy Rees and her daughter Belinda “B” Buckler were in a freak car accident in a flooded causeway in 1983 that left B with an Acquired Brain Injury.
Read more Cheryl Dedman knows more about brain injury than most, having experienced it both personally, and as the adoptive parent of a teenager diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Read more For Narelle Hawkins, the lack of understanding and empathy for brain injury isn’t just frustrating, it’s devastating – leaving her son Todd isolated and in despair.
Read more Phil and Abbie have been married for 35 years, navigating the highs and lows of family life with a brain injury.
Read more Meredith’s daughter Ari was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 17. Meredith shares her experience as a carer, the impact of brain injury on her own life, and how she takes care of her own wellbeing.
Read more Leanne Hall cares for two complex needs children and has struggled for years to organise support from the NDIS for her son, Ollie. Rachael Kernick of Synapse became part of 'Team Ollie', and has contributed to life-changing funding for the family.
Read more Kate has experienced two episodes of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) - an extremely rare and often fatal disease.
Read more In 2011, Les Clarence’ fit and healthy 55-year-old wife Franziska suffered a stroke in her sleep.
Read more 42-year-old Sean Gardner was an aluminium Welder and competitive waterski racer before an accident in New Zealand changed the course of his life.
Read more Jalen was a keen AFL player working in traffic control when he attended a family event, then woke up three weeks later in hospital.
Read more 10 years ago, Angela’s life as a mum and Beauty Therapist changed forever doing what most Australian families do every weekend, emptying the camper trailer.
Read more In 2001, Dave was an eager student keen to study IT at university when one day on his way to school he pulled out in front of a car. Dave, unfortunately, suffered a brain injury and spent seven months recovering in hospital.
Read more In 2015, Patty was working and didn’t feel well. Later that day Patty decided to go to hospital and that was when Patty had a stroke, leaving her with a brain injury at 52.
Read more At 18 Ros was driving along a country bitumen road with four of her friends from boarding school and ended up having a car accident. While her friends thankfully walked away unscathed, Ros suffered a brain injury.
Read more After a traumatic brain injury left him unable to continue working, Urs Birrer has begun an exciting new phase of his life and recovery, volunteering and inspiring others to do the same.
Read more Cheryl Dedman and her husband desperately wanted a second child but, with Cheryl having lost pituitary function as a result of a brain tumour, it wasn’t to be. Shortly after adopting their son, Jacob, the couple began to notice distinct differences in his behaviour and development.
Read more Cheryl Dedman knows more about brain injury than most, having experienced it both personally, and as the adoptive parent of a teenager diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Read more In 2011 Kris Tucker experienced a brain bleed from an aneurysm, and subsequently a stroke. While the road since then has been challenging, Kris says that even amidst endless unknowns you must hold on to hope.
Read more In 2014, Danny Trestrail suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Challenges notwithstanding, Danny is still happy with the direction his life has taken.
Read more Campbelltown woman Anne-Maree Hart sustained a head injury because of a serious domestic violence incident.
Read more Danette Rowse, from Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains, was a 48 year old mum of two when, after sunspot removal, she blacked out at the wheel, colliding with another vehicle and suffering extensive injuries.
Read more In 2010, Julian was in an accident that left him with a brain injury. Support from family and a positive outlook has driven his recovery.
Read more In 1992, the Australian Government sent three telegrams to Michael Liang Sen Yan’s hometown in China to let his parents know that he had suffered a car accident.
Read more Phil and Abbie have been married for 35 years, navigating the highs and lows of family life with a brain injury.
Read more At just 22 years of age, a blood clot in Caitlin's brain caused her to collapse at home. After intensive rehabilitation, Catilin is taking a positive outlook on recovery.
Read more 24-year-old Caitlin Reid, from NSW, says that while a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) brought a succession of challenges, with that also came enormous personal and professional growth.
Read more Sarah had just crossed the finish line of a triathlon on the Gold Coast when her brain "shut down". It took her over two years to discover what had happened: a virus aggressively inflamed her central nervous system.
Read more Damien's story highlights the importance of a solid support network to motivate you through your rehabilitation and recovery.
Read more Kate has experienced two episodes of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) - an extremely rare and often fatal disease.
Read more In November 2017, Shelby had just finished a two week tour around Australia with her band The Beautiful Monument, when she was admitted into The Austin Hospital in Melbourne with an unknown illness.
Read more As a child in 1998, Tim was in an accident that caused traumatic brain injury. His long journey of recovery and discovery has lead him to focus his energy on others.
Read more In February 1993, Julie was working as a flight attendant when she began experiencing persistent headaches.
Read more David Trahair has an acquired brain injury as a result of a fall at home. David and his wife Nicki hold the Beans 4 Brains Fun Run annually.
Read more When David was 11 years old, he acquired a brain injury through a horse riding accident.
Read more Nick Lonie is the former Chairman of Headwest. His brain injury occurred after he fell from the back of a moving ute.
Read moreIf you’ve got questions or need advice, support or further information, get in touch with us today. We’d love to help