Empower
empowering TAC clients by sharing stories and information
edition 25 October 2013
In this edition:

The emotional road to recovery

Ben

Renee

John
Anthony Bartl – A life without limits
Anthony scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef
When I was six years old, I was struck by a car while walking home from school. My injuries included a
broken spinal cord, which means I now cannot breathe on my own, feel or move anything below my neck.
Despite my severe disability, I lead a full and active life. I am an active journalist and public speaker and
have just graduated from a primary school teaching degree.
On top of my study and work, I revel in pushing my disability to its limits. I have snorkelled on the Great
Barrier Reef, sailed a boat with my chin and flown in a microlight aircraft. I believe that my positivity and
active lifestyle can show other people with a disability that they can have a full life.
Adventure of a lifetime
Three years ago I won $50K on Eddie McGuire’s Millionaires Hotseat! I have saved part of this money for
my biggest adventure yet – a trip to South Africa. I’ve also fundraised to pay for a camera crew (including
my filmmaker friend, Jono van Hest) to travel to South Africa with me and help with editing.
My trip includes a visit to ancient Zulu tribes, travels down rivers infested with crocodiles and
hippopotamuses, flying in a microlight aircraft to gain bird’s eye views of pristine beaches and national
parks, and safaris to see elephants, cheetahs and lions.
People can follow my adventures on my website, social media blog and on instagram, which will hopefully
gain interest from the mainstream media. I want people to see where I’m going, how I get there and meet
new people and get their impressions of what I’m achieving while living with a severe disability. I want
break the ‘hopeless’ stigma that people with a disability might face.
Breaking stereotypes
Many people with disabilities find it difficult to venture outside their front door, let alone travel overseas.
They worry about the barriers or accessibility issues that arise and they can also be fearful of negative
perceptions they encounter from other people.
I hope my South African adventure inspires others to think: ‘Hey, if Anthony, can only move his head and is
still achieving these things, maybe I can too’. I hope to inspire others with disabilities, and raise the public’s
expectations of what people with disabilities can achieve.
I believe there is a stereotype that people with disabilities can’t achieve anything of any significance. By
increasing the public’s expectations of what people with disabilities can achieve, people like me will be
seen as more capable as employees, as friends and as valuable contributors to the community.
Follow my adventures at www.pozible.com/project/28997
Harry
Harry
Harry
Right from the start, I was determined that my accident injuries wouldn’t put me on the ‘sidelines’ of family,
work, sport or social life.
My distinct memory of the accident morning (8 July 2009) was the bitterly cold weather.
I shrugged off the chill and hopped on my pushbike for my usual 16-kilometre ride into the city for work. I
was feeling cheerful because the family was heading to Apollo Bay for a short break the following day.
As I rode along the bike path that runs down the middle of St George’s Road, I looked up to check that the
tram stop was clear.
I saw a van coming through that didn’t seem like it was going to halt at the stop sign.
I slammed on the brakes and saw the shocked expression on the van driver’s face as I flew through the air
and landed heavily on the cold, hard bitumen.
I knew instantly that I was in trouble because I couldn’t move. I thought ‘Bugger, spinal injury! There goes
the holiday to Apollo Bay – I’ve let my family down.’
Fortunately, two cyclists – a couple named Skye and Richard who were complete strangers then, but have
become dear friends – stopped to help.
I started telling Skye messages to pass on to my wife Annette and children, Jessica (then 19) and Michael
(nine), if I didn’t see them again. Skye assured me that the messages wouldn’t need to be relayed because
she wasn’t going to let me die.
At the emergency hospital, countless x-rays and tests revealed that, while my noggin was intact (thanks to
my helmet), I had sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury as well as a broken wrist, a broken scapula,
broken nose, cuts and bruises.
The doctor said: “You’re a quadriplegic, you’re not going to walk again”. That was hard to hear, but at the
same time I looked down at my body and thought if I can wiggle my toe (which I could) then in time I’d be
able to move other parts.
I made a pact with that doctor that I’d prove him wrong and I would walk again. That was when I started to
think about setting some targets for my recovery.
I devised four main goals. The first was a ‘no-brainer’ – to walk again – because all the other goals hinged
on achieving that.
The other goals were: to return to work; to finish the bike ride that I’d started on the day of my accident; and
to get back on the hockey pitch, even if it was for one last game.
My biggest supporters and source of motivation from the start of my rehabilitation has been my family. They
had to endure a lot of worry and make many sacrifices over the past four years.
Thanks to the tremendous staff at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, I was able to start putting one
foot in front of the other. I shed tears of joy when I took my first unaided, wobbly steps. It was tough and
tiring, but I had contradicted what the doctors had told me and proved I wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair.
With my return to work goal, I was probably a bit zealous in my aspiration to get back into the office within
six months. I needed to recover from further spinal surgery before I could put my return to work program
into action.
My employer (Australia Post), the TAC and the union were very supportive of my return to work plans and
ensured I was work-ready, safe and comfortable.
When I waltzed through the door on Monday 10 January, 2011 to start part-time work it was a fantastic
feeling – ‘I’m back!’ Goal number two could be ticked off the list.
My third goal to get back on a bike (or rather, trike) turned into a bigger occasion than I had anticipated. My
original plan was to ride into the city one weekend with a few friends to get a bit of closure on the accident
day, but more and more people said they wanted to join in.
I decided to make it a fundraising event – ‘Harry’s Ride’ – and we were able to donate more than $7,000 to
the Royal Talbot from the day. It felt great to give something back after all that Talbot’s staff had done to
help me.
My fourth goal was probably the one I felt most sentimental about. Before the accident, I had been a
passionate member and player of the Footscray Hockey Club for some 35 years.
With the help of my TAC Support Coordinator and additional physiotherapy, gym and hydrotherapy
sessions, I began training for my ‘comeback’ (and perhaps final) hockey game with my beloved club.
The hockey club really threw its support behind me and created some hype about my return to the game on
June 29, 2013. I was even interviewed by Channel Seven news.
I was blown away by the crowd, including family, friends, work colleagues, fellow hospital patients and
people I’d coached as junior hockey players, who turned up at the Footscray Hockey Centre to cheer me
on.
I was so excited and felt like I was floating around the field. After a few blocked attempts at goal, I managed
to chip the ball past the goalkeeper – a magic moment.
I also had an opportunity to pad up and spend some time guarding the goals myself.
Completely exhausted, but elated, I went back into the clubhouse to celebrate a massive day and watch the
news report about the milestone game.
It was such a buzz and worth the aches the following week. We raised a further $880 for the Royal Talbot
through donations and sales of commemorative ‘Harry’s comeback game’ t-shirts.
With my fourth goal accomplished, it’s now time to start thinking about what’s next. Rehabilitation doesn’t
stop here – it’s an ongoing process of trying to get better and improve my health and wellbeing.
With some further training and preparation, I’d like to maybe attempt a triathlon – a ‘stretch’ goal – as well
as take Annette on a well-deserved overseas holiday.
Harry
Leah
Leah
I don’t remember a great deal about my life before the accident. I remember I did calisthenics, Russian
dancing and cross country running when I was young.
I loved cross-country running. As I grew older and I became busy with work and my grandmother, I
eventually cut all of that out. My grandmother was very sick at home and couldn’t speak English. For about
three years, I focused on her – helping her shower, cook her food and take her to hospital. She was 94
years old when she died.
On the day of the accident, I was driving my car and my niece was in the passenger seat. We were on our
way to buy items for the new dog I’d bought the previous day. I can’t remember what happened but I was
told another driver hit my car and it spun around three times before ending up between a pole and a fence.
It was a hit and run.
The driver of the other car has never been found. All I remember was seeing a pole and throwing myself in
front of my niece to stop her from going through the windscreen.
Thank God there was a nurse in the car behind me. She resuscitated me. I wish I could thank her for
saving my life. My niece had broken ribs and a scratch on the head. But she was fine and has no scars.
In hospital, I was put in an induced coma. When I woke up, I saw plaster on my right leg and thought I’d just
broken my leg, but it was much more serious that that. I remember looking at myself in the bathroom mirror
and realising all my hair, which was previously down to my waist, had been shaved off.
I was in nappies and I couldn’t even pick up the spoon to feed myself. Mum had to spoon-feed me.
I thought if I closed my eyes and went to sleep, I would wake up and the nightmare would be over. The
doctors said I had nine bleeding spots on my brain, a lacerated liver, lacerated kidneys, punctured lung,
broken ribs and a fractured spine.
My right leg calf muscle went behind my kneecap, so I had 12 Botox injections to get me walking again. I
was determined to prove to the doctors, myself and other people going through a similar trauma, that I
could walk again.
Despite being in the Epworth Hospital for three months, I only remembered my last two weeks. It was on
my last day in hospital that I stared to walk. When Mum saw me walking, she cried.
I walk with a limp and was self conscious when I first started walking again. I used to get quite aggressive
when I went shopping and I thought people were looking at me.
Even now I can’t walk and carry a heavy tray because my balance is unsteady. The hardest thing now is I
always need somebody. I need someone to drive me somewhere or carry heavy things for me.
Every couple of months I go through a really down patch where I get quite angry and tired and I just need to
be left alone. No one can come near me or talk to me. I get really bad headaches too.
I can’t run anymore, but I started horse-riding after my TAC recreational therapist suggested I try it. I
thought ‘I’ve never done that before, I’ll give it a go’.
It was the best thing I could have done because I was going mental being stuck within the same four walls
every day.
I’ve been horse-riding for three years now and I love it. When I’m on the horse I don’t feel my limp. My legs
don’t have to work perfectly to do horse-riding. I just need to sit on the horse and trust it. Horse-riding is the
only time my mind is blank, where I don’t think about anything and that’s what I love about it.
When I started horse-riding it was just for fun. Now I’m taking it more seriously.
My coach entered me into some competitions and my scores have been really good. Now I have the
chance of making it into the next Paralympics team.
After the accident, I just wanted to achieve a goal for myself to say that even though I’ve had the accident I
can still achieve things. You just need to know that you can still do things, that you’re not useless.
I still wake up and hope for the day I can walk normally again. I go out to the shops and feel uncomfortable
because I look at these people walking normally, wearing high heels. I can’t do any of that anymore. It is
still hard.
But every morning I thank God that I’m still breathing, I can still hear, I can still see and I can still speak.
And I thank God I’m not eating that mushed up food from the hospital.
I believe that there’s a reason for everything in life and I just hope that there’s a good reason for this. I’m
wondering if this has happened to teach me to appreciate life, to love life. You have to keep smiling,
otherwise you can only go down and I’m not going down.
Leah’s mum, Christine
After Leah’s accident, we decided we needed a house that would let Leah keep her independence and
keep us together as a family. We bought some land and began working with a builder. We also involved her
TAC occupational therapist and physio in the planning. It took about 12 months to get the design right. But
it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.
The house has things like an induction hotplate in the kitchen so if Leah forgets to turn it off, it switches
itself off. The oven is a triple glazed door so it’s cool to touch. The shower doesn’t have a step, so she
walks straight in. She has handrails in the shower, in the toilet, on the swimming pool, on the spa and in the
toilet downstairs.
We’re very happy and Leah has her independence as far as she possibly can.
When Leah started horse-riding it was just the best thing for her. She gives it 500 per cent and that’s why I
know she’ll make the Paralympics because she’s so determined.
It’s amazing to see her up on the horse all dressed up and looking beautiful and so proud.
I’m proud that she has courage to do it. I’m proud of the fact that she’s alive to do it.
Leah
BrainLink
Brainlink Logo
A new project to help people living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) transition back into the community is
now underway.
The Community Transition Model by BrainLink Services – a Victorian organisation that works to improve
the life of people with an ABI – provides TAC clients and their carers with coordinated access to community
support and services.
The model focuses on early intervention, peer support and continuity of engagement to help clients
overcome any barriers they encounter while trying to integrate back into their communities.
BrainLink’s first priority is to respond to the immediate needs of the families and friends of those who are
living with an acquired brain disorder.
Services offered by BrainLink:
 A ‘LifeMoves’ peer support program for people living with an ABI.
 A referral service to help the community in navigating the disability service sector.
 Education and support programs for carers and families.
 A first point of call for families at onset of diagnosis.
 Innovative and flexible respite opportunities, and
 ABI information and resources.
Through its services, BrainLink aims to:
 Reduce the emotional burden of transition from hospital to community for people with an ABI and
prevent social isolation.
 Increase the self esteem, confidence and well-being of people with an ABI and their carers, facilitating
engagement with community supports and participation in social and community activities, and
 Provide greater peer support networks in the community with continued contact with relevant
community-based services.
Brainlink Services Client Services Officer, Chris Beayni, said: “The needs of each client will be the primary
determinant of the timing and extent of their participation in each of the services provided by this model.
“BrainLink will work closely with the TAC Early Support Coordinators to assess each client’s needs and
recommend services based on the client’s needs and wants.”
For further information on the services available, contact:
Chris (03) 9845 2960
Email: programs@brainlink.org.au
Global day to recognise road accident victims
November heralds the 13th annual A Time for Remembering Service to commemorate the lives of loved
ones lost on Victorian roads.
The multi-faith service will also highlight individuals and organisations’ work to reduce the road toll.
A Time for Remembering coincides with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims across
the world which is organised by the World Health Organisation each year on the third Sunday in November.
The World Day of Remembrance recognises individuals who have died, or been injured, in road accidents
and the plight of their loved ones who must cope with the consequences of death or injury.
Road Peace first observed The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in 1993. On 26
October 2005, the United Nations endorsed a global day for road accident victims to be observed every
third Sunday in November.
Last year, 282 people died on Victorian roads. The latest TAC data shows more than 4,000 people across
Victoria are living with a brain injury caused by a transport accident.
Meanwhile statistics from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show road trauma
is the leading cause of death globally for children and young people aged between 10 to 24 years, and the
third leading cause of death globally among people aged between 30 to 44 years.
Every six seconds someone is killed or injured on the world’s roads, including drivers, passengers,
motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.
A Time for Remembering service in Victoria
Date: Sunday 17 November 2013
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Venue: Queen’s Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne
(Melways reference 2F, K2)
For further information, contact Road Trauma Support Services on 1300 367 797 or email
marketing@rtssv.org.au
World Day of Remembrance
Remembrance services and flower-laying ceremonies will also take place across the world on 17
November in memory of road victims.
Memorial photo
Contact us
Telephone
8.30am to 5.30pm,
Monday to Friday
1300 654 329 (local call)
1800 332 556 (toll-free
outside the Melbourne
metropolitan area)
Address
60 Brougham Street
Geelong VIC 3220
Mailing address
TAC
PO Box 742
Geelong VIC 3220
Website
www.tac.vic.gov.au