Altered Abilities presentations available

By Rebecca Schmidt-Lachlan

After a blood clot on Easter Sunday in 2008 triggered a brain stem stroke that left me with minimal movement remaining except the eyes, I have witnessed a lot in the space of rehabilitation over the past 14 years.

Noticing some big gaps in person-centred approaches for rehabilitation and daily life choices, I am running a community campaign to raise awareness and highlight the fact that we all live with Altered Abilities, each of us have different conditions or life stages that are changing throughout our lives.

The main factor that varies from person to person is whether these changes are permanent or temporary.

The person still largely remains the same inside, it is the outer shell that appears in a new way. The visual of a barbed wire fence can indicate how quickly we can go from being fully functioning to a major trauma or injury having a lasting change on our bodies or minds.

It can be more difficult to see the external impacts of a brain injury, to show compassion or empathy towards people experiencing internal upheaval.

Patience and understanding are key to positive interactions where the person is left feeling they have been heard no matter how long it may take. Everything is now in the realm of the unknown and fear can be the biggest driver in the reluctance to adapt to something in a new way.

Rebecca – Wollongong’s 2018 Woman of the Year – is giving presentations covering her recovery after a brain stem stroke. For more information, or to buy her Strategies and Tips Sheet resource, email at info@alteredabilities.com.au or visit alteredabilities.com.au