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Meet the O’Brien Family

Posted on May 15, 2016October 12, 2020Author AdministratorCategories People with an ABI

O’Brien family generously sharing their story on 7.30 Report, raising awareness of Acquired Brain Injury.

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One of the barriers young people with brain injuri One of the barriers young people with brain injuries face is being underestimated or overestimated. This is why it's so important to try to understand the person first. Underestimating people’s ability often happens when the brain injury has resulted in changes to someone’s physical or speech abilities. The assumption is often made that the person also has cognitive issues or an intellectual disability. Our community has experienced being ignored, spoken to like a child or as if they can't hear. I’m sure it's not hard to imagine how demeaning this can be. What our community have taught us is to never assume someone’s intellectual ability before you know them. Always speak directly to people and even if you struggle to understand, keep trying and imagine how hard that person is trying just to communicate and physically access a world that has so many barriers. As you may have seen in some of our stories, often the biggest challenges with brain injury are invisible, and this is when overestimating abilities becomes an issue. People who experience cognitive fatigue, which can happen very quickly, and dramatically change people’s ability to think, speak and even move. Also, people with memory and information processing challenges, who will significantly struggle if given multiple instructions too quickly. This doesn’t mean they don’t understand, it just means that the information needs to be given in a way that works for their brain, with some strategies to aid memory, like writing things down. Try to imagine showing up to work and not being able to remember where to go, or how to start a task, or even to remember people’s names to ask for help. It’s an awful feeling, frustrating and embarrassing, and it hugely impacts your confidence and your mood. The best way to understand brain injury is to get to know the person. If you’re not sure, just ask, people with brain injuries are the experts because they live with their brain injury every day.
Hi I’m Natalee and 4 and a half years ago I had Hi I’m Natalee and 4 and a half years ago I had a brain injury from an unexpected brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke. What I wish people would understand about me and about my brain injury is that it hasn’t affected my intelligence at all or personality, I’m still me, just stronger, more resilient, tougher, more determined, and motivated than ever and driven to achieve the goals I have always had set for myself. I’m still me, just a different me than I originally entered this world as. How would it change your life if people understood you better? It’d make it way easier if I wasn’t constantly having to explain myself and it’d make it much less exhausting just to exist without constantly having to justify everything for everybody else’s sake because of preconceived ideas and misconceptions based on society's norms and ideas. I’m Nat and this is me! #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury
Hi I’m Hailey I am 29 years old a big lover of g Hi I’m Hailey I am 29 years old a big lover of game of thrones and Harry Potter, I’m a part time parent to my beautiful stepson and full time wife to Andrew. 23 years ago I had a brain injury, I had a stroke in my bed as I was trying to go to sleep. My brain injury impacts my right side, I suffer from hemiplegia which means I have trouble using my right arm and leg. I also have a lot of fatigue and anxiety but it doesn't stop me from doing and being who I want to be. Assumptions are something that everyone makes, but here are a few about me because of my brain injury. That I don't have any meaningful relationships/ don't have a meaningful life. That I don't work or have a career. That I have an intellectual disability and people assume that they need to talk to me loudly and slowly. Here a some things I have achieved since my brain injury I obtained my license and drive a modified car, I’ve worked as a support worker for the past 6 years, working with young people with brain injuries and love what I do!!! Supporting them to live the lives they want and helping them day to day reach their goals. I am a member of two Board advisory committees, and I also consult on many brain injury related research projects. I bought a house with my fiancé in 2020 and now he’s my husband. My life is full, and my brain injury has had a role in shaping the young woman I have become, what I am driven to do, and what I choose to advocate for and about. I look forward to the future and reaching my goals as a young adult. I wish to become a mum and expand my career as a support worker. I’m Hailey and this is me. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury
Brain injury awareness week feels so special and p Brain injury awareness week feels so special and personal to me this year. Joining Heads Together has profoundly changed how I see myself. It has helped me to begin to understand why I have spent so much of my life hiding my brain injury - and just how much I have internalised the discrimination and judgement that I have experienced. I am continuing to learn from this amazing community how life changing it is to be genuinely accepted and valued. My core beliefs have always been that individual differences and diversity provide unique, critical, and wonderful perspectives. I have spent my career strongly advocating and applying this to others, but the Heads Together Community has helped me to actually believe this about myself. I want this for everyone Colleen Murphy Heads Together for ABI General Manager #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury #BIAW2022
Understand Me, Understand My Brain Injury Heads T Understand Me, Understand My Brain Injury Heads Together exists because everyone deserves understanding, a place where people just get them. But many people in the general public don't understand brain injury which can make life pretty isolating, frustrating and sometimes downright impossible. This week we want to share some of the experiences of our incredible community and what’s been possible in their lives. But also, about some of the barriers they face in everyday life because of the lack of awareness about brain injury. We ask all of you to try and step into their shoes this week and spread the awareness far and wide. Brain injury can happen to anyone, anytime so let's get our heads together to build a more understanding world for everyone . #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury #BIAW2022
In the mood for burgers and support an awesome com In the mood for burgers and support an awesome community? Head over to Grill'd Yarraville and Grill'd Watergardens and grab a burger and put your token in the Heads Together for ABI jar! You will be supporting our Teens Program to receive some amazing funding just by grabbing a burger. Our jars will be in Yarraville and Watergardens until the end of the month. Here is a photo of one of our teens community members supporting the Teens Program while grabbing some delicious takeaway over the weekend. Make sure to take a picture and send it our way, as we would love to share it on socials. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #grilldyarraville #grilldwatergardens
To the many amazing stroke survivors and families To the many amazing stroke survivors and families in our community, and everywhere in Australia, we are proud to celebrate and support you during National Stroke Week by spreading the word about the impact of stroke, especially childhood stroke, and the importance of sharing the #ActFAST - (face, arms, speech, time) signs of stroke. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #strokefoundationaustralia
We celebrated our Families Day Out last Sunday in We celebrated our Families Day Out last Sunday in Rowville which brought together 13 current and new families from our community. The day was full of fun and laughter along with support and connections. Our one day events provide the opportunity families to come together in a safe space to build friendships, have fun and create a community of understanding. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Heads Together are thrilled to be working with @ni Heads Together are thrilled to be working with @nicole.christo92 in supporting our young adults community and inspiring them to keep reaching for their dreams! Nicole's hard work and never give up attitude has resulted in her competing at a World Cup for the @paramatildas. CommBank ParaMatildas #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
For the month of August, our Teens Program will ha For the month of August, our Teens Program will have their very own local matters jar at Grill'd Yarraville. To support our Teens Program, all you need to do is head to Grill'd Yarraville, grab a delicious meal and put your token in our jar! And a massive thank you to Grill'd Yarraville for your support of our Teens Program. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Last week the HT team had an opportunity to meet w Last week the HT team had an opportunity to meet with Independent Rehab Services therapists to discuss the opportunities available at Heads Together for Young Adults with brain injury. Over the last 12 months our partnerships with referrers has grown allowing many more YA to join our community. Find out more about our YA programs here: https://headstogether.org.au/programs/young-adults/ #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #PowerofPartnership
We are putting our Heads Together with Mentone Gra We are putting our Heads Together with Mentone Grammar today to talk with teachers about making connections with students with brain injuries and giving them a deeper understanding of brain injury and how it impacts kids at school. We hope to fill their toolkits to the brim with positive support strategies and Audrey Anderson, one of the amazing young people in our teen community is bringing her own experience to give them the real life picture. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #PowerofPartnership
Last weekend the ABILiTy team caught up for a voca Last weekend the ABILiTy team caught up for a vocation pathways workshop. The team shared experiences, where we want to go and started started the process of mapping out how to get there. This team is full of excitement, hopes and possibilities. We cant wait to continue to watch them knock down any barrier and continue to achieve their dreams. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Last week Kate, Kayla & Jane travelled to Sydney t Last week Kate, Kayla & Jane travelled to Sydney to attend the National Brain Injury Conference. There was so much incredible knowledge shared over three huge days. One thing that stood out for the team was a simple concept shared by Tim Feeney. Support Big Deals, Address Obstacles. This is an ethos that the ABILiTy team has been thriving by over the last few years, so we thought we would share it here. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
The Heads Together team thought it might be fun to The Heads Together team thought it might be fun to start a little Spotify play list of all things Heads and Together! :) Comment below some songs you thing we should add. Hope you enjoy our compilation. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fplaylist%2F6AxtJP52T2PAnMr7WO5cMT%3Fsi%3DjOb4gOb9R92t-8AabLuCFw%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dmessenger%26pt%3Dfea4f38098cd8e6a3a096bf86962788a&h=AT3N4wMc7WMHeVKPMNa46sZnV7xKEy2ILUjjlMdSiO5eixysmPdUMJNbsbZF8OjXzRKGwO2RSDgLmBIcHlp4TSC0nsHlh1unJQxd7szrgPMmV8DxycqwxBJomED-xAWcbZhxxCThpYj1&s=1 #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
And last but by no means least, we want to thank P And last but by no means least, we want to thank Portland House Group for providing the funds to bring Project HOPE to life. Heads Together Online Peer Education or HOPE as we like to call it, had been a long time dream for Heads Together, and through the generosity of Portland House, a wonderful family based foundation, we were able to harness the power of storytelling, learn a whole new skill in producing family video's, and create a brand new resource for all the families out there who are just beginning their new life after brain injury. We can't thank you enough for believing in our dream and we look forward to the next steps of bringing the HOPE website to the public. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Today we want to acknowledge a very special group Today we want to acknowledge a very special group of women from the Macedon Ranges, The Shared Table. Through family connections with our Founder, Kate Heine, some of these wonderful women began volunteering for our Family program way back in 2007, even before there was a Shared Table. And since that time, this group have continued to support Heads Together in so many ways, supporting our Walk Together for Brain Injury events, hosting our annual Christmas Party at Vicki Hawkin's gorgeous property in Mt Macedon, and for the past few years supporting Macedon Ranges families and young people to participate in our programs. We thank you for your time, your funding and your friendship over the years, you will always have a place at our Heads Together table. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
This weeks shout outs start with the Barr Family F This weeks shout outs start with the Barr Family Foundation, who very fortuitously crossed paths with Jane James, our Parents Program Coordinator, back in 2018. Your partnership in supporting the families programs has allowed us to grow so much over the past four years, especially our newly emerging Parent and Teens programs which have flourished. Your trust in supporting us to rapidly pivot when COVID came along allowed us to expand and better meet the needs of our community at a time when our support has never been more important. You have been such generous supporters with your time, your networks and your funding. Our team and our community will always be grateful and the Barr family will be a special part of our story, now and always. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Another funding partner shout out to the Departmen Another funding partner shout out to the Department of Social Services, through their Information, Linkages and Capacity Building grants. This partnership has allowed our young adult programs to thrive over the past two and a half years. Our community has grown more than 30% and we've been able to massively increase the frequency and accessibility of our events by delivering both online and in person. We will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity and hope to continue this wonderful partnership through the NDIS. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
Our next funding partner shout out goes to the Ali Our next funding partner shout out goes to the Alice Sloan Trust, who have been supporters of our Families program since 2012. Like KAFF, the Sloan family have not only supported the funding of our Families, and now more specifically our Teens programs, they have also been incredibly generous with their volunteer support, with a grand total of six Sloan family members attending numerous events, as well as bringing a wealth of clinical expertise and support. You are truly one of the family and we are so blessed to have you in our community. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #nonprofit #braininjury #accuiredbraininjury #headinjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee
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