Edition 13
July 2007
Empower
Empowering TAC clients by sharing stories and information
The importance of passion
The theme of this issue of empower
is passion. It’s so important for
people with (and without) disabilities
to be passionate about something
in their lives. It could be an ideal
or cause. It could be family, friends,
ar t, gardening, spor ts, travel,
pets or cooking. Whatever it is,
passion makes life wor thwhile
and helps people achieve great
things! In this edition we meet six
inspirational people who refuse
Vicky’s cause
her have the chance to live in the
community has seen her achieve
some amazing things. She has,
for example, run a one woman
campaign from her nursing home
that has raised awareness of the
YPINH issue in the regional town in
which she lives and demanded action.
She has written numerous letters
to politicians and is well known for
speaking about the inequity of the
YPINH issue on local TV, radio and
newspapers. She has appeared
before senate inquiries and met
with state and federal ministers.
By Dr Bronwyn Morkham, National
Director of the Young People In
Nursing Homes National Alliance
Through my work I’ve met some
pretty amazing and passionate
people. I work for the Young People
In Nursing Homes (YPINH) alliance
which aims to raise awareness
of the plight of over 6,500 young
Australians with high and complex
support needs living in aged care
nursing homes because they have
nowhere else to go.
Take Vicky for instance. Vicky is one
inspiring and remarkable person.
Now 35, Vicky was injured in a car
accident when she was just 16 and
has spent more than half her adult
life in a nursing home because
there has been nowhere else to live.
Yet Vicky’s passion and determination
to make sure that young people like
But it isn’t only the big picture
issues that concern Vicky. She
became aware that many elderly
nursing home residents were
keen to go shopping at the mall
next door. Vicky successfully
lobbied the local council to cut
a gateway in the boundary fence
between the nursing home and
the mall and lay a concrete path
to let their disabilities stop them
from pursuing their passion. Their
stories reinforce the importance
of getting out there, pursuing your
hobbies, fighting for your beliefs
and following your dreams!
Vicky’s passionate about the issue of young
people in nursing homes.
that was safe for residents to use.
Now elderly residents can be seen
following Vicky as she leads them
across the car park to the shops
in her electric wheelchair.
Vicky’s passion has allowed her
to change government policy
and attitudes towards the care
and support of people with high
and complex needs. Power ful
passion indeed!
2 Empower
Poet emerges from nightmare
An Acquired Brain Injury hasn’t
stopped Bianca Palamara from
pursuing her passion for poetry
and singing.
A bitterly cold morning on 18 August
1999 changed my life forever.
On that morning, I was on my way
to complete a hang-gliding course
in Birchip, just outside Ballarat.
I had taken up hang-gliding after
going through my marriage breakup, and had decided to take a few
risks. I had no idea that it would
be the roads, not the skies,
which would almost take my life.
I lost control of my car on an icy
road and slid into a tree. I don’t
remember anything after that but
my parents told me that when they
arrived at the hospital, I was a
battered and broken mess. My face
was full of blood, my nostrils were
full of blood and my ears were full
of blood. I suffered a severe brain
injury, my kidneys had failed and
I was paralysed on the left side.
Although I was hooked to various
machines to keep me alive, I was
not expected to sur vive.
My injuries were so severe
that it is a true blessing
for me to be able to write
this here now.
Days later I was given my last rites
by a priest and nine days after the
accident, on August 26, my mother
and father were asked to make a
decision no parent should – whether
to turn off my life support. As fate
would have it, it was the same day
thirty-one years earlier Mum had
lost her father in a car-accident.
Mum and Dad refused to turn off
the life support.
To the amazement of doctors,
my kidneys began to function again
and after four and a half weeks,
I was transferred from intensive
care. It really was a miracle!
a new lease on life…IT’S SO FUN!
I sing in class with others who have
sustained a brain injury and I also
get private tuition. I’ve even started
writing my own songs for our class
to sing! And I also edit other class
members’ songs. My singing coach
helps put our words to music. And
I feel very proud when the class sings
the songs which I’ve helped edit.
A serious accident didn’t stop Bianca pursuing
her love of poetry and writing.
In total, I spent seven weeks at
the Alfred hospital. But then began
the hard part – my rehabilitation.
Eighteen months of intensive
therapy followed at Ivanhoe Manor
Rehabilitation Hospital. After that
I continued with my rehabilitation
at home, gradually learning how
to walk and talk again. It was
really difficult at times, but I was
determined not to give in.
After four years in a wheelchair,
today I walk with a splint and
sometimes even use a walking stick
– not bad for someone who was
totally paralysed down her left side.
As I continue with my treatment
and recover y, the one thing that
keeps me going is my love of poetry
and writing. I cannot recall exactly
when this passion for words was
born, but I’ve always derived such
pleasure from creating images
through words. I’m ver y grateful
that I still have my writing gift, after
such a severe accident. Sure, it’s
harder to unscramble my thoughts
now, because of my brain injur y.
But there is no way I’m letting
this stop me! If I ever feel down
expressing myself through poetr y
is sometimes the best medicine.
I still like to try new things and take
on new challenges. Recently I began
singing and belly dancing. I’m not
the greatest belly dancer in the
world but it’s a lot of fun. Who knew
the belly could move in so many
ways? And singing has given me
Recently our church held a concert
in front of a large group of people.
Despite our ner ves, the audience
enjoyed our per formance and we
received a warm round of applause,
although I don’t think the Three
Tenors have anything to worry about!
My injuries were so severe that it
is a true blessing for me to be able
to write this here now. And with
the joint care of the loving people
around me, I can continue with
my celebration of life:
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Bianca Palamara – 22.10.06
I’ll battle through my pains
Till no grief remains:
Again I walk
And once more I talk
And the best thing
Is now, I can sing
And yes, I’ve taken the chance
Where I now also belly dance
I have battled through all kinds
of strife
So I may continue in this
celebration of life…
I’d just like to leave it here where
I give thanks to God for my second
chance at life. And to all the doctors,
nurses, carers and therapists and
to all the loving people that have
helped me.
The Road Trauma Support team
provides support, information
and counselling to people whose
lives have been affected by road
trauma. You can call their helpline
on 1300 367 797 or visit their
website at www.rtstv.org.au
3 Empower
Nicko proves doubters wrong
After a serious car accident,
Andrew ‘Nicko’ Nicholson is
passionate about spreading the
road safety message to students.
G’day my name is Andrew, ‘Nicko’
to my mates. On the first day of
1986, I was drinking and driving
and looking at this scantily clad
young lady riding a horse down
the side of the Hamilton Highway.
I hit a bridge and 10 weeks later
woke up in hospital. It was then
I found out that it was not a
nightmare, my friends had given
me a heart massage and mouth to
mouth while waiting for the police
and ambulance. First time a bloke
with a moustache has ever kissed
me. And the last time I hope!
I wouldn’t let the words
‘can not’ enter my vocab.
Seriously though, the accident cost
me my sight, my right arm and put
me in a wheelchair. It was a life
sentence for an action that took
seconds. It was bloody tough, I was
30 and I’d gone from an independent
yobbo with a good job, mortgage
and money to spend living in the fast
lane to totally dependent on others
for even the most basic needs. I
needed around the clock care. I
couldn’t get myself a drink of water.
I couldn’t go to the toilet by myself.
The only thing I could do for myself
was talk. My fiancé was pregnant at
the time and it perhaps the cruelest
blow of all knowing that I could not
witness the birth of my son Thomas
five months after my accident.
It’s not all serious when I talk.
I crack a few jokes to make the
kids feel comfor table because
they’re more likely to understand
my message when they’re relaxed.
I rely on my sense of humour,
although I’m a bit dark on Steady
Eddy because he stole a lot of
my jokes!
According to Nicko, life is mind over matter.
Well I’m to happy repor t that
I did prove my doubters wrong.
With the help of carers and friends,
I ran a mixed farming enterprise
of 700 hectares with my brother.
This was dissolved amicably three
years after the accident. Outsiders
found it hard to believe I could
move onto such a big farm and
run it in an active and mentally
stimulating capacity.
I wouldn’t let the words ‘can not’
enter my vocabular y. I took up
parachuting. I went bungee jumping.
I travelled around Australia and
continued to go off shore fishing
like I did before the accident.
I continued to travel on motorcycles
and go swimming even though
the knockers said I couldn’t do it.
I also continued to go to sporting
competitions, including football,
cricket, racing, the Grand Prix etc.
Some folks asked me how a blind
person enjoys the football. It’s
simple – I went to the matches with
a headset to provide commentary
and just soaked up the atmosphere.
But perhaps the most important
thing I did was visit schools and
I spent the next 12 months in a
rehab hospital. My fiancé and I went speak to students about the
dangers of drink driving and taking
our separate ways and there were
times when I thought I’d never leave risks on the roads. My aim was
to show the human side of road
the hospital. But I was determined
trauma to the kids. I’m still doing
to get back home, see my friends
this after twenty years because
and resume my life as a farmer.
I believe it is such an important
I was also determined to prove my
doubters wrong. Some people looked message. I reckon it’s all worth
it even if the message just gets
at me and thought I should be put
in an institution for the rest of my life. through to one kid.
These days I’m no longer farming
but I still like to keep myself
(and my carers!) busy. Apar t from
my guest speaking roles at schools
and clubs, I have been secretar y
of my local Lions Club. I am a
member of various disability groups
including the Geelong Rural Access
Group, the Barwon Ability Alliance,
Bacchus Marsh disability forum,
ParaQuad and AQA. I am also
a citizens’ advocate for various
organisations such as Limbs 4 Life
and I write articles for local, regional
and state newsletters.
I still catch up with my friends and
family, especially my son on a regular
basis. I’m the biggest ‘sticky beak’
west of Melbourne with a keen
interest in people and current events.
I spend up to forty hours a week
listening to talking books, the radio
and talking on the phone in the
company of my dog.
I think life is actually mind over
matter. People like me are in a
‘dead end street’ if we let it become
that. You either do it, and get on
with life, or you don’t. If you decide
to ‘do it’ things just start to happen
and that motivates you for other
things to happen. Just look ahead.
There’s always a bit of hill to climb
but once you get to the top, you can
get to the other side really easy.
Attention companion card holders!
If you catch public transport a
companion card now allows your
friend or carer to travel for free.
To find out if you are eligible
for a companion card please
call 1800 650 611 or visit
www.companioncard.org
4 Empower
Passion pushes my buttons!
Chris Durham’s passion is to tell
the world what life with an Acquired
Brain Injury (ABI) is really like.
Recently I climbed a hill. Half way
up I stopped to catch my breath and
I watched two full moons rise above
the banks of clouds (yes, double
vision is still a problem because of
my brain injury). Raindrops glistened
like diamonds on the gum leaves
and I thought ‘I wouldn’t be dead
for quids!’ Suddenly it struck me.
The 16 year anniversary of my car
accident had slipped quietly by and
I hadn’t given it a second thought.
Amazing! The anniversary had been
such a big deal until now.
I reached the top of the hill and
thought of the long journey I’d made
from those nightmarish years after
my car accident. On that day I was
driving to uni when bang! Suddenly
my car was flying out of control,
spinning round. There was a huge
explosion. Flashes of bright, piercing,
white light, pain, strange sounds
of clattering metal, choking, floating,
agony, hell. Then blackness.
Much, much later I learnt that a car
had sped out of a side street, hit
my car and spun it round until my
driver’s door slammed into a power
pole. The driver of the other car left
me choking in my seat belt having
an epileptic fit while he went down
the road to get a quote to have his
car fixed.
After months in hospital I returned
home a shattered wreck, attempting
to cope with the dreadful ‘Pain
Monster’ that tore and ripped at
my broken body. I had a brain injury,
double vision, multiple breaks to
nearly all my ribs, a paralysed left
side, fractured clavicle and only two
fingers that worked on my right side.
I was grief-stricken because I’d lost
myself and was full of hatred for
the man who had stolen my life.
The accident sucked all my
self-esteem and left me feeling
ugly, loathsome and unlovable.
said I could turn a piece of poo into
a rose. This book became my rose.
Penguin Australia published Doing
Up Buttons ten years ago and I’ve
been humbled by the responses
from readers.
Chris has written a book about the challenges
of living with a brain injury.
I was totally dead of spirit, no longer
a ‘proper’ mother, wife or even a
proper human being! I struggled
in the fog of my mind to define
what made a ‘proper’ human being.
I began to see it as being someone
who could do up their own buttons.
My uncooperative brain and fingers
meant I couldn’t even do this simple
task, a task a child could do. I told
myself that when I could do up my
buttons again, I’d be a ‘proper’
person once more.
Months passed. I had no energy.
I couldn’t even be thankful for the
kindness of family and friends.
Then one day I noticed that the
sun felt comfor ting on my back.
A cup of coffee that I could not
smell or taste, felt soothing in
my hands. Slowly I became aware
of the birds wheeling across the
sky, the smoothness of the trunk
of a nearby lemon-scented gum.
I then discovered my passion:
I would go on a quest to find out
about ABI and then find a way to
explain ABI so that no one would
ever feel as frightened, lost and
cut off from the world as I was.
This became my passion and
I realised I’d found a way to help
other people and be happy again.
Over several years I slowly wrote
my book Doing Up Buttons which
describes the reality of coming to
terms with the lasting effects of
a brain injur y. My daughter always
I also began public speaking to
give people insight and information
and help them tackle some of
the challenges of living with a
brain injur y. Through my writing
and speaking, I found hope again.
I discovered that being happy
doesn’t depend on ever ything
being per fect (after all I couldn’t
walk, talk or speak properly) it
depends on having hope. Now
I’m writing another book about
all the adventures that have
happened because of the book
and my speaking activities.
I discovered that being
happy doesn’t depend on
everything being perfect.
I have discovered so many things
about living with a brain injur y.
I’ve never had a drop of alcohol in
my life yet it’s like I’m drunk all the
time. People look weird, distorted.
Getting dressed is easier said than
done and setting the table is a
challenging multi-tasking job. I still
sometimes catch sight of myself
in a shop window with my buttons
done up incorrectly! Although the
goal of doing up my buttons set
me on the path to where I am now,
the symbolism doesn’t push my
buttons anymore. I’ve discovered
more important things.
‘So what!’ I say to myself. I’ve
discovered that passion =
enthusiasm + energy + imagination
and that triumph = tr y + umph!
It’s far better that I’ve ‘buttoned’
myself up (put my life together), and
‘unbuttoned my lips’ (to try to help
and support others) rather than be
a whiz at doing up my shirt buttons!
continued next page
5 Empower
continued from page 4
Chris signs a copy of her book Doing Up
Buttons for one of her fans.
Now it’s passion that pushes
my buttons! My book and my
presentations are helping people
to see how an ABI breaks minds,
hearts and dreams, but that
information, encouragement and
hope play a vital role in recapturing
lives. Understanding that others
have experienced what you are
encountering, and that you are
not alone in the upside-down world
of a brain injury, is an important
stepping-stone to help people
cope with an ABI.
With determination, courage, hope
and damn hard work, life can show
some improvement.
Chris still has some copies of her
book Doing Up Buttons for sale.
If you’re interested in reading
her book or finding out when
her next presentation on tackling
the challenges of brain injur y
is happening, you can contact
Chris on 9439 7734 or
[email protected]
What do you do when you
have lots of time?
After acquiring a brain injury,
Ronnie Telfer has a lot of free
time. He fills his days with
things he is passionate about.
He prefers to think of his cup
as half full, not half empty.
What do you do when you have
lots of time?
First, look at what you have got,
not what you haven’t.
Second, set up goals based on your
loves and divide and conquer so
that inch by inch, anything’s a cinch.
Third, be organised. I’ve had
big problems with this after
being critically injured with an
ABI 17 years ago. Writing in
a diar y and looking at it is
essential here. It also helps
to write tasks on note-pads and
tick each of them off one by one.
Brain Injury
Awareness Week
17 – 23 September 2007
Across Australia, some 432,700
people are living with ABI. This
equates to approximately 2% of
the total population.
In organisation, I have learnt not to
be overly ambitious but be simple.
Fourth, bring balance to your life.
I love going to classical music
concerts. With balance comes diet,
good medicine and a minimum
of 30 minutes exercise a day.
Fifth, find good causes to support.
You can’t just be a consumer,
we’ve got to feel like contributors
in some way. I’ll never have any
children but I’ve got ‘my child’
in India with World Vision. I have
felt really discouraged and low
at times but Pushpa has at times
been a great reason for living.
Sixth, always be positive in every
movement, thought or deed.
You will become a success story
when you’re enthusiastic about
whatever you’re doing.
To raise community awareness
about ABI, and celebrate the
successes of people living with
brain injuries in our community,
BrainLink Ser vices is working
together with other organisations
to co-ordinate events during Brain
Injur y Awareness Week 2007.
If you would like to find out more
about events occurring throughout
Well, this essay is a summar y for
all of us about living a successful
life. If I didn’t have ABI I couldn’t
have written it.
I know, you hiccup and get frustrated
along the way. I know, I haven’t been
healed. I know, I struggle to play
the piano. I know, my injured ankle
hur ts. I know, my brain roars in
agony. I know, I’m indoors most
hours. I know, I’ve had chronic
fatigue syndrome for four years.
I know, I don’t see the answer
to my prayers. I know, millions
of people go to bed hungr y.
But we don’t go to a footy game
to see the final score, we go to see
the struggles, fights, team effort,
thrills, tensions, problems, battles,
and difficulties. It’s the journey
which counts, not the destination.
the week, or information about
ABI and the ser vices available,
please contact BrainLink on free
call 1800 677 579.
BrainLink Ser vices provides
information and support ser vices
to people with acquired brain
injuries, their families and carers
to enhance their well being and
quality of life.
6 Empower
Wheelchair dancing all the rage
Queensland amputee Scott Kenney’s
passion for dance has helped him
have heaps of fun and make some
great friends.
I’ve always loved to dance. I’ve
always loved to per form. Last year
I discovered a stage on which I can
do both…Wheelchair Dancesport.
In January 2006 I found out about
a group of wheelchair dancers
that meet at Morayfield (north of
Brisbane) every Saturday. That day
I enrolled in the ver y next class.
Saturday 28 Januar y 2006 is a
day I’ll never forget. I arrived at the
class early, which is typical of me
when ner vous. I didn’t know what
wheelchair dancing involved.
The class was held at Morayfield
Park Leisure which was well set up
for wheelchair access, with ample
level parking, no stairs and fully
accessible toilets. I sat patiently in
the foyer area and soon wheelchair
dancers started arriving.
I’d been out social dancing before,
in nightclubs etc. But rarely did I see
anyone else in wheelchairs. So to
see one, then two, then four, then
ten wheelchair dancers come through
the door blew my mind. I couldn’t
wait to see how they danced.
My coach Lynette and the whole
group welcomed me and invited
me to watch their first dance.
The music started. Then the dancing.
Oh my God this was beautiful.
I remember having goosebumps
and shedding a few private tears
of joy. I’d finally discovered what
felt like home…people of all
differing abilities sharing a love
for music and movement.
I was invited to learn my first ever
ballroom dance. So much smiling,
Empower is published three times a year
by the Transport Accident Commission.
© Copyright Transport Accident Commission, 2007
so much laughter, so much fun.
I met ever ybody that day, a group
whom I now consider wonder ful
friends. And since I started, more
people have joined.
For those who are interested,
there are competitions to enter.
You see, wheelchair dancing is
a spor t practised in more than
20 countries worldwide. Holland,
the bir thplace of the spor t, just
celebrated their 25th anniversar y
of dancing. And it was at this ver y
celebration that Australia took its
first steps onto the world stage of
competition Wheelchair Dancesport.
Over Easter 2006, a team of ten
Australians flew to Holland and
danced. I was a member of that
team and it was a trip of a lifetime.
So that’s my diary from my first three
months of dancing. Since then I’ve
continued to dance and made more
new friends and had more fun.
The true beauty of the sport is that
anyone can participate, no matter
what their level of ability. You can
learn ballroom, you can learn latin,
you can have the time of your life.
At the ver y least you’ll make new
friends and dance to beautiful music.
Where is wheelchair dancing
available? There are ver y few
qualified wheelchair dance
instructors in Australia. Lynette
Gordon-Smith is the current
National Coach and she may know
of some instructors based in
Victoria. You can contact her by
ringing 0434 921 012 or emailing
[email protected]
In April 2006, I moved to Byron
Bay where there are no wheelchairspecific dance instructors or
classes. So I took a proactive
approach and introduced myself
Scott and his dance partner Donna.
to able-bodied professional dancers.
I asked these professionals, who
normally teach able-bodied clients
to dance, to adapt their teaching
to incorporate my wheelchair.
The results have been amazing!
My advice to anyone wanting to
dance in the absence of any formal
wheelchair dance instructor, is to
approach your local ballroom/tap/
rock n roll/ballet/latin/hip hop etc.
dance instructor and challenge
them to think outside the square
and incorporate your wheels with
their steps. It blends so beautifully
and reinforces a strong message
of integration of the ‘disabled’ with
the ‘abled’ – a message so vital
for our society to see and hear.
Feel like boogying the night way?
Club Wild organises regular dance
parties for people with disabilities.
Based in Melbourne, Club Wild can
be contacted on (03) 9326 9970
or www.clubwild.net. Be warned:
these dance parties are seriously
fun and funky!
Telephone:
Website:
1300 654 329 or 1800 332 556
Visit www.tac.vic.gov.au
(toll-free outside the Melbourne metro area)
8:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.