Brain Injuries are like fingerprints, each one is different.
In a second a family can, be thrust into a very difficult, overwhelming situation and find themselves caring for a loved one 24/7.
...take the Barker Family for instance, mum Helen shares their story
“In 2002 our daughter Angela was severely assaulted by her ex-boyfriend when she refused to renew their relationship.
This led us to a journey no family should have had to go through but for one reason or another many of us have and find ourselves living this nightmare. Angela’s dad Ian and I began an unthinkable life.
Angela was flown to Melbourne and was diagnosed with an ‘Axonal Brain Injury’ (ABI), this led to years in hospital, Rehab. and Nursing Home, before she was able to return home.
We were told she would not recover, and they didn’t expect her to live a long life due to complications. We ignored this advice and had to fight to get our daughter the things she needed to recover. At the same time dealing with our heartache, court cases and taking care of our son in Benalla, 2.5 hours away, where we lived.
The stress was huge and there wasn’t anyone to help us in the beginning. We got on to Headway Vic., they were wonderful and with the head man from the Victims of Crime support team we managed to battle through, thank God for these people.
As we progressed over the years, we found we were struggling to keep up the fight for things we needed and watching our daughter in pain and having to continue to make her do her stretches and exercises to help her recover to a life worth living.
We needed a break as we were at breaking point! BrainLink stepped in and offered us a retreat. It was 2 nights away fully supported by their team connecting with other carers going through a similar journey and it was great as it allowed us to take a breath and relax. It was wonderful to be with people who really understood what you were going through. You didn’t have to talk about your story, but you just knew they had battles too.
For many years BrainLink has been walking this journey with us guiding, supporting, and assisting us to navigate a complex confusing disability/health system along with the emotional toll and heart ache.
Recently I started working as a volunteer for BrainLink in my regional community making sure those on a similar journey know about BrainLink, receive much needed information, and I help to organize education workshops and breaks/activities for re energising.
I got to thinking what was missing in the early days of this journey and what would have made it a little easier for us?
We needed information in the ICU that was accurate, and we needed support along the way for all sorts of things determining our financial situation, legal options and most importantly how to investigate long term care options for our daughter.
I also know you need more than ‘google’ or professionals telling you what they think you should have! Sometimes being with ‘your people’ is very meaningful. Just the smile of knowing is so powerful.
If we had been put in touch with someone in a similar situation, just someone that knew what you were going through, what was ahead of you, a mentor of some sort, it would have made a lot of difference to our lives. Especially as we live in the country. I cannot believe the things that are offered down in Melbourne that we know nothing about in the country.
BrainLink is an amazing organization, who has helped many family carers throughout their journey, has given carers time to recover and information that is needed and valuable connection to other likeminded families.
We can’t help our loved ones if we have nothing more to give. I might add that Angela not only lived but through sheer hard work by her and many others she lives a fulfilling life as independently as possible. See her, pictured with us receiving her Australia Day medal.
I am now BrainLink’s first trained mentor walking others in my community through the brain injury journey.
Your generous support will be dedicated to developing BrainLink’s Carer Mentor Program, helping walk your difficult journey with you.”
Make a donation
Your Donation Matters
Stepping into the role of a carer is unique and brings its own challenges and joys. Often it is only other carers who can understand the journey. We want family carers to know they have the support they need to care safely, to make it less of a battle and to know they are not alone.
Your donation will greatly impact two services offered by BrainLink to assist family carers.
Carer Mentor Program
Your generosity will be significant in helping roll out the Carer Mentor Program.
A buddy could make a difference in surviving the caring journey knowing you have support from someone who has lived experience and has endured a challenging carer journey already. A donation will help train mentors and fund carer support activities.
Brain Injury Information Line
Your kindness helps to first and foremost maintain BrainLink’s specialised brain injury phone line. Calls to BrainLink’s ‘hotline’ continue to increase and the service remains unfunded. Your generosity will provide establishment of a dedicated worker to take a call and direct/deal with a request in a timely and efficient manner.
Make a donation
Enables an information pack and brain injury specific materials to be sent to a family carer.
Donate $25
A mentor can host a Zoom advice session, connecting 5 family carers who are new to caring.
Donate $50
A mentor can host a face-to-face morning tea for 5 new family carers.
Donate $100
Enables training and ongoing guidance for one carer.
Donate $200