Phill, a husband and father to 2 teenage kids when his wife Dana had a brain injury.
Brain injury: Aneurysm and stroke
When: 29th October 2017
Length of time in acute hospital: 50 days
Length of time in rehabilitation: 5 months
Impact of brain injury: Dana was initially in a coma. When she woke, she had no movement or speech. She required 3 people to assist her to transfer in/out of bed and to help her shower. She used a wheelchair to mobilise because she had poor balance. She had no memory, her concentration on tasks and conversations were reduced and she had difficulty swallowing. It was a very hard time for us as a family.
How is Dana now? Dana discharged from hospital back home in the hills with our beautiful boys and me. She loves catching up with family and friends. She’s truly had a second chance in life and has grasped it with both hands. Her recovery, even years later, is continuing. She’s returned to cooking and helping run our family business (a holiday rental property). Dana is now volunteering as a Peer Support Mentor for other brain injury survivors which she finds very rewarding as she loves sharing reflections and supporting other people through their recovery. Early 2020, Dana regained her car licence which gave her more independence. Now, she goes to the gym a few times a week and she enjoys yoga. Her message to others is “never give up and never say no”.
How are you? XXX
Key learnings: XXX
