Thursday, October 19, 2006 > Campfull of Heros

I have lost all motivation to blog. Though it is probably apparent from the slowly decreasing updates. So, I would just blog about my weekend (the weekend that made me miss Mamak Night! But it's was ok..) and what i have learnt. As boring and corny as that sounds, I assure you, it's not that bad.

I went along to a camp for people with Acquired Brain Injury as part of my Uni Placement. For the many of you ignorant dudes and dudettes, these guys are not spastic or totally crazy. In fact, many of them look like the average person on the outside. Hence, the reason Acquired Brain Injury is called a "hidden" injury is simply because it isn't apparent on the outside. Memory problems are of course a common problem, though some do have difficulties physically and socially. It really depends on what part of the brain they injured. These guys were just like everyone else but because of an accident of some sort, it all was taken away from them.

Anyway, here are just a few pictures that I have of the weekend. Wasn't in much of a picture taking mood. My friends probably have more....


Being there a whole weekend with each other really caused us to get to know each other better. I have heard some of their stories before, but heard some of them in more detail then. Would like to share some of what I heard with you guys.

Richard's story:

A year ago he was attacked in his own home while he was sleeping. The intruder bashed him on the head with a hammer repeatedly and did the same to his wife. He was in a coma for a few months and when finally woke up was told that he would never walk and talk again and should be thankful to just be alive. Fortunately his wife got out of it fine. He told himself that he would talk and walk again. And now, one year later, he is. I always have long conversations with him without many problems at all. Sure, he may have some problems now and again remembering certain words, but he is always in the best of moods and never fails to tell me he is doing very very well.

Nerise's story:

In one of the suburbs in Melbourne, a car struck Nerise and her young son down while they were innocently strolling along the side of the road. Apparently the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The accident killed her son and left Nerise practically dead. Like many others, she was in a coma for quite some time. She did once explain to me all that happened to her physically, but all those medical terms were just way beyond me. I just knew that they were really bad. Anyway, she started doing a topic last semester in Uni again. And she did really well! Now, she is currently in La Trobe University, Melbourne giving lectures regarding her brain injury to students and the medical faculty there.

Darryl's story:

Darryl had an aneurysm, a blood balloon, which burst in his brain while he was in surgery, ironically, a surgery in attempt of removing it. Anyway, that was not good and affected several parts of his brain, especially on the left side, where the aneurysm was. As a result, he had a paralysis on his right hand side. Now his physical function is perfectly fine, even the bad side. Darryl goes to a small local church and he told me recently, "I am so thankful to be alive despite not being as "perfect" as I was before the aneurysm. I believe that the fact that God didn't take me then just means that God has a greater purpose than I can imagine."

How do they still go through life with such a positive attitude, despite remembering how they used to be and can no longer ever be like how they were? It is beyond me. And if I were to say that that doesn't speak volumes and teach me something, must mean I am the biggest idiot. Every moment with them gives me a new perspective in life.

These are only 3 out of the many many stories that I have heard. All very different but all just equally as heart wrenching. Most of the accidents weren't even their fault and I truthfully don't know how some of them can forgive those who caused it and indirectly ripped aspirations, dreams and goals off them.

These guys are truly my heros......

Wing Sun wrote this at.. 6:19 PM

Comments:

it's really saddening but at the same time, their stories are truly inspiring.. it makes you feel thankful with what you have and it also teaches us never to give up in life because despite any obstacles or horrific events that take place in our life, all things are still possible through God ;)

# posted by  Anonymous : 12:01 AM

 

Post a Comment