Brain Injury Conversations

Good food and rest is usual remedy for any ailment, and its true for brain injuries too. In this episode we discuss the types of foods and simple healthy treatments that can help support our brain and function. Cynthia talks to Lydia Irving, a nutritionist who aims to help us choose what food to eat and how to best prepare it for optimal nutrient absorption including when there is a big change in our life due to brain injury.

"I want to push the boundaries of what my body can do. When you grow up with a disability, the language is all around what you cannot do. Whereas competing in teh Paralympics is defined by what you can (do)." Paralympian runner James Turner is the best in the world. He's hoping to repeat his world beating performances in the T36 category of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. James tells us that he's always been active despite living with cerebral palsy. He took up ballet, Tai Kwon Do and even football as a child but now running is what he excels at. And his able-bodied, athlete twin sister Hayley has always kept him competitive! "I want to push the boundaries of what my body can do. When you grow up with a disability, the language is all around what you cannot do. Whereas competing in teh Paralympics is defined by what you can (do)."

Our guest today suffered a series of strokes in 2010. He has made an incredible recovery and continues to live with the effects as many survivors do. While Peter Davidison's career as an internationally renowned architect has ceased for the moment, he's discovered and forstered other creative pursuits and is now a prolific painter, drawer and a poet. His strokes also seem to have unleashed a love of almost all music genres - but not heavy metal! Peter's speech has been affected by his injuries, so our episode today is a little different as we help him tell his story. And this episode coincides with National Stroke Week Aug 2-8 in Australia where our podcast for and with people living with brain injury is produced. Happy listening!

In the blink of an eye our world can change. Blake Ballard shares his brain injury story and the subsequent dramatic change to his life plans. Career, relationship and life ambitions either disappeared, changed dramatically or became simply unobtainable. But that hasn't stopped him. It has changed him. His story is one of adjustment, resilence and above all, survival. Many young people ( mostly young men) endure brain injury through accidents. Feel free to share Blakes story with those in your circle who may have undergone a similar dramatic change in their life. It may provide contrast, insight and inspiration to their own personal journey.

The short videos made by Jason and Megan have had more that 50 million views. They give a unique insight into their experience of caring for Jason's mother Oma who lives with both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. In trying to understand her condition, the van Genderens have tried to adapt by creating experiences to benefit Oma - including re-creating a supermarket experience and turning their house into a 'digital' aquarium! Truly incredible creativity in their care! Check out the collection of Omas Applesauce videos Join the discussion and share your experience or ask questions on our Brain Injury Conversations Facebook page

Our podcast shares the stories of people living with brain injuries – these are their stories; these are your stories. Jillian Oliver absolutely loved her job but a workplace accident has left her with permanent physical injuries. But that seems only to have spurred her on to support and inspire others through art therapy for post-traumatic stress through the Art and Soul group.

Life for me changed dramatically - twice. The first was 23rd July 1990 when my mother died of a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was 51. And the second time was on the 12th March 2016, when I suffered one. I was 52. There was no warning on either occasion, just the heartbeat that ruptured the aneurysm. On the second occasion, my life became the polar opposite of what it had been. I lost my business and livelihood and the essence of me. I now have a brain injury and this is my story.