Living Well After Brain Injury

After surviving a train accident at age 21 and later surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Thailand, Lizz defied medical predictions that suggested she would be unable to study, work, or have children. Today, over 20 years later, she is a mother, postgraduate student, small business owner, and nature-based practitioner. 

Lizz highlights the hidden cost of living with an ABI. While she may look uninjured on the surface, managing daily life requires constant energy management to avoid cognitive overload. After surviving both the train accident and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami shortly after, Lizz made a conscious choice to focus on what was possible. Through strong support networks, she completed her degree six years later and continues to take on major physical challenges—including walking over 6,300 km across Australia in 2023. 

Nature serves as a baseline for Lizz's recovery, offering a restorative environment that demands nothing of her. In contrast, she actively adapts her built surroundings—such as changing household fixtures to simple push-pull mechanisms—to reduce daily cognitive friction.

To manage memory and stress, Lizz relies on everyday strategies like stream-of-consciousness writing, photo journals, and detailed planning. Central to her safety while trekking across Australia was the National Assistance Card, a non-verbal communication tool featuring emergency contact details and a QR code. The card provides a dignified safety net, allowing her to ask for help without needing to explain her condition in stressful moments.

Discover how the National Assistance Card helps individuals with hidden disabilities navigate daily life with confidence and independence.