The stroke  

In 2018 Lisa Kozlowski suffered a stroke, caused by a blood clot that passed through her basilar artery – this particular artery had a kink in it, something Lisa had been born with.  

“The blood clot passed through my basilar artery and that’s what caused the stroke.”  

“My neurologist just said it was bad luck.” 

Life after a brain injury  

Since the brain injury in 2018, Lisa has come up with a few neat tricks to continue her recovery, especially her eyesight which was damaged.  

“After speaking with an ophthalmologist they said to use the muscles in my eye like any muscle in the body – it’s a really weird way, but I figured I’d watch TV alot and rework the muscles and enjoy what I’m watching.” 

“Playing music helps a lot too, because I have to look at the notes and that helped with my vision and coordination.” 

“I feel like the biggest thing that helped me to live with a brain injury was acceptance – I had to learn to accept that it had happened to me, then understand and learn to live with life as it is now. It helped me progress a lot, because it’s like I said goodbye to my old life and said hello to my new life.” 

City to Surf Race  

Every year Lisa eagerly participates in the annual City 2 Surf Race in Sydney – a challenge she still loves to undertake even after her brain injury. She completed last year’s race, but unfortunately had to retire early in this year’s race to avoid injury. 

“I love the atmosphere, it’s amazing – I guess also I did it with Synapse, so the support that I felt from them was really great and I raise money as well. It’s nice to just have motivation to do the run, actually walk in my case. I use to run it, but now after my stroke I walk it.” 

“My next goal is to complete the Blackmores 3km or 11km to get my confidence back and to give me my next goal to work towards.”  

Keep on trucking  

Before Lisa had her stroke she was working as a designer for Sydney City Council – now she’s working on her own terms as a freelancer.   

“I’ve just been doing work for people that I know and small businesses I talk too.”  

“As a graphic designer I’m always updating my portfolio.” 

“My dad had a brain injury too, and he always says to me when we’re on Skype, keep on trucking, and I’m like, I will dad.”