Archive for category: Client Stories

Today we are privileged to hear from one of our spinal clients at the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust – Mary Miller. For the past ten years, Mary has lived independently in a lifestyle village on the edge of Christchurch. Her journey began as a child, as she grew up with a bone condition called rickets.

Due to Mary’s condition, she had many surgeries including hips, knee replacements and rods placed into her femurs. The calcification around her spinal cord led to her starting to notice a significant change of sensation in her legs.

After being referred to a neurosurgeon, Mary learned that her spinal cord had almost totally closed at four points, and she required a large surgery. However, by the time the surgery was set to take place, it was 2011, the year of the Christchurch earthquakes. Her surgery was delayed.

“The plan was I would go into St George’s, have the surgery, and drive myself home a week later,” says Mary. “That was the plan, but my spinal cord was damaged, and I came out of the surgeries a tetraplegic in 2011.”

After this surgery, Mary was transferred to the spinal unit of Burwood hospital, where she stayed for eight months of rehabilitation. During this time, Mary worked to get the use of her arms back, but her legs did not recover enough to walk. Mary received ACC coverage after the surgery; a case manager was appointed who helped her set up goals. One of these goals was to drive again, which she accomplished in 2014 through the provision of a vehicle where she could move her power wheelchair into the driver’s seat and drive using hand controls.

Mary lived well and with independence, until the past two years, when she began to become paralyzed in her upper body. After another referral to a new neurosurgeon, it was found that her spinal cord was once again being ‘squeezed’.

After a successful surgery, Mary spent six weeks in the spinal unit of Burwood Hospital and then was able to come home with help from the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust.

“I was able to come home with help from physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, wheelchair experts, and housing people from the Laura Ferguson Brain Injury Trust – They’ve all helped to assess how much I could achieve with certain help, and they’ve helped me to get that help. So, I have got back some of what I lost.”

Mary has received help from a range of services at LFBIT, including training for independence, wheelchair and seating, housing services, equipment, and respiratory services. Work across this range includes things such as finding extra support workers to aid Mary in activities such as driving, identifying equipment to help her achieve things individually, and having a hoist installed in her home.

“Lizzie McKay came in training under Mark as a physiotherapist, I was very blessed to have both of them. Lizzie is one in a million. She’s the best physiotherapist I’ve ever had. As well as Lizzie there has been massive, wonderful input from Lesley Bensley, Angela Nicholls and Deanna Davies – all amazing people!”

LFBIT team members also helped Mary in the little ways that make all the difference. From finding cutlery that she could hold with her limited movement in her hands, to installing Alexa in her home to turn on lights, and open, close, and locks doors, all through voice control.

“That has all been with the sort of vision of the team, the occupational therapy team and the physiotherapy team. I’ve been overwhelmed with the help that I got, I’ve just been very fortunate in the people that have been rostered with me, they’ve been a great help.”

“It makes such a difference when you get people who are good at what they do. Because I’ve had occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the past, and I knew more about my situation than they did – I was able to help myself better than they could. I’ve found LFBIT staff really empathetic, knowledgeable about their craft, and go the extra mile in looking for alternatives. I’ve been very blessed to have them.”

One thing that Mary has found key in her rehabilitation is that the more open and motivated she was to do the work, the easier it was not just for her, but for the team she worked with.

“With the right kind of help, you can put yourself out there. There’s no point in whinging and moaning about it. There’s always something else you can do. I’ve learned that before, but it gets renewed in my head every time I reach a stumbling block.”

In being open comes the importance of having fun with your rehab, which is something Mary knows well!

“I like to have a bit of a laugh at the people that I work with, and we have. We get the job done, and always have fun as well.”

Looking to the future, Mary looks to get more involved in learning some new instruments. Mary, unfortunately, had to retire from her position in both the ukulele group and choir, as holding a ukulele and turning page music became too much of a challenge, as well as finding singing difficult from seated in a wheelchair. However, LFBIT staff have found a spot in music therapy sessions where Mary can try a range of new musical instruments. Mary is excited to get started and stuck in on the keyboard!

A special thanks to Mary for sharing your story with us! It is an absolute pleasure to talk and work with you, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Life before 18 July 2020 was pretty hectic. I’m a Mum to three boys, a wife and a primary school principal of a little Catholic school. My life was a mix between running the household, caring for my family and dealing with the variety of problems and tasks you get when you’re a teaching principal of a little school.

We had just sold our house and had moved into temporary housing, waiting for our new house to be completed. I was pretty shattered and felt exhausted on many levels!

During the last weekend of the July holidays, my husband and I had decided to go through to Christchurch for a couple of nights. On the Saturday night, we were on our way to go out for tea, and as it was very cold, we thought that it would be a good idea to jump on a Lime scooter instead of walking.

My husband was in front of me and I followed. I don’t remember much after that, as I was hit by a car as I was crossing the road. I became aware of my surroundings a while later in one of the trauma units at Christchurch Public Hospital. After many hours, tests and treatments, I was taken to the Neurology ward.

My left wrist was broken and in a cast. I had a deep wound in my forehead that required plastic surgery, a fractured skull, a face full of bruises, the mother of all headaches that wouldn’t quit and I was vomiting. Although I was confused about why I was injured, I knew what day it was and who my family was. I slept a lot! I struggled with my balance and felt very dizzy, needing assistance to get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I spent 10 days in hospital and was extremely excited to get back to my family.

The next part of my recovery is all a bit of a blur – it seemed as though one day merged into the next. It was a longer period than I initially thought I’d be in, a period I called the “Four Fs” – Fogginess, Fatigue, Frustration and Fear. There was a lot of tiredness, a lot of sleeping and a lot of crying.

I found that I was tired after doing simple tasks such as doing the dishes! My initial goal was to do simple routine housework and build on it as I could. I had help to keep on top of the bathrooms and vacuuming, but I worked on achieving the rest throughout each day with lots of rests in between.

My balance was still an issue, but once I’d had some treatment, it had improved enough that I didn’t need to steady myself by holding onto the walls.

Therapists from Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust visited me every week at the start, talking me through what was happening and helping me set goals for my recovery.

I thought that I’d be back at work pretty quickly as I had no idea how severe my injury was. Every goal I set myself – workwise – had to be reset!

Very gradually, I made myself get outside and go for walks. My dog and I would walk to the recycling and rubbish bins daily – probably only about 100m in total. Then we would add going to the end of the houses in our block – another 100m in total. I wouldn’t do this daily, only when I felt I could.

I found this part of my recovery very challenging. I wasn’t used to putting myself and my health first. I wasn’t used to struggling to do things. I was a capable, intelligent woman who was independent and fierce. I identified with being a career woman who was in control.

I had to shift my thinking, which was huge. I had to accept help. I had to relinquish control at home and at work. I had to focus on myself in order to recover.

We finally moved in to our new house early September. I felt as though I had room to breathe and I had a purpose each day. I began scheduling my day in my diary, making sure I wasn’t overdoing it and going back to the boom-and-bust attitude I had before my accident.

Scheduling appointments for the week, daily chores/tasks, walks/exercise, social events and also scheduling in regular rests throughout the day was extremely helpful. Not only did I feel more in control, but it was also a creative outlet for me.

I started going to physio for both my neck/back/shoulders and hand/wrist/fingers (which we discovered had also been broken after my cast was removed). My aunt drove me to and from hand therapy appointments in Rolleston. The movement of vehicles and the surrounding scenery left me feeling very tired, and I had to give myself time in between and after journeys to recover. Eventually, I was able to manage longer trips and my recovery time would be shorter.

My concussion physio was still visiting me. However, I began seeing a psychologist to help me work through all the feelings and issues that were coming up, and this reinforced the goals that I was working on. My psychologist helped me find my joy. We spoke about what I found challenging, how I spoke to myself, what I found important and what gave me the ‘good’ feels. My therapists worked on helping me achieve the goals that I was working towards.

After the Christmas holidays, I returned to school. Once again, I thought I’d be able to do more than I actually could. Time and time again, I would have setbacks – I’d set myself goals of how long I could be at school, I’d push on and my recovery would take a dive. I spent all of 2021 trying to get back to school full-time. The best I could manage was Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am–1pm, still only doing admin work. We discovered that, if I tried to increase my hours too quickly without a ‘consolidation period’, the headaches and fatigue would return. Progress was slow.

Now, nearly two years on, after resetting my goals, I am finally back in the classroom two days a week but still working on being in the office full-time on the other three days, with later starts and early finishes. Life at home has become very quiet as all the boys are now at university, so I find I have less pressure to be on call for them! I still get fatigued, still get headaches – especially when I do too much.

Changing the way I speak to myself has helped me come to realise that my recovery has been a very personal journey. Understanding and identifying my emotions and limitations has been the biggest challenge – and continues to be ongoing. I now tell myself that it’s OK to feel like this, it’s normal for recovery to take time and to have setbacks.

Doing things that I enjoyed was the most helpful thing in my recovery. Planning out my day/week in a creative way by journalling, doing a little gardening, walking (increasing my time and distance as I felt I could) and rekindling my love of reading – all these little things gave me happiness and purpose. They made me feel good about myself. Going for a walk is now my ‘go to’ when I feel overwhelmed or frustrated.

As I look back on the last 22 months, I have come a long way, and although I may never be 100% the same as I was, maybe that’s not a bad thing – my life was not sustainable.

I also think that it would be important for family members to have some support. I was fortunate that my husband had some experience dealing with concussion, however not to the same extent as my injury. He would have benefited from someone having a chat with him about everything – not relying on me to pass on information.

If I had advice to give someone that was in my situation, it would be to give yourself time and go easy on yourself.

Find what gives you joy.

At Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, we provide a number of assessment, rehabilitation and residential services.

Our specialist team support people who have had brain injuries, spinal injuries, and any type of complex physical injury, such as a leg or arm amputation.

Michael Challis is a client who has been supported by our service for some time, working incredibly hard on his independence and his recovery.

This is his story:

For three years prior to his injury, Michael was a concrete placer, working on driveways, pathways, house foundations, or anywhere that needed his skills. He loved the hands-on nature of the work, and spending time with great colleagues.

In his spare time, he loved to fix up his truck, spend weekends at the river, and then fixing the truck all over again!

He also loved playing rugby and wakeboarding, until he was too sore to go again.

Four years ago, Michael’s life took a shift. After an especially busy 68 hour work week, Michael was involved in a car accident, car versus power pole.

Fortunately, there was a witness nearby, who immediately called emergency services. Michael broke his back and damaged his spinal cord between the C4 and TI vertebrae. This resulted in a loss of all strength, sensation and other body functions below – the highest level of injury. For a few months he lost all movement below his neck and had to spend that time in the Intensive Care Unit, before moving to Burwood Hospital for another four months during which time he gradually regained some movement in his arms but continued to have little movement or sensation in his hands, trunk and lower body.

After 199 days in total, it was time for Michael to make the move home, leaving him with the huge challenge of having to adapt to his new way of life.

“It was different going home, I didn’t know what to expect,” says Michael. “One of the biggest challenges has been losing independence and needing help with any basic tasks. Things as little as opening a letter, and picking it up, you try it over and over again. But then being stubborn only lasts so long before you need to ask for help.”

Michael’s stubbornness has worked in his favour when it comes to rehabilitation, as he has worked incredibly hard to do everything possible to gain his independence back.

He has worked with LFBIT occupational therapists and physiotherapists to begin getting back into movement and regain everyday skills. He works hard on building up his strength at the gym and has used his hand bike to also increase his exercise.

Alongside his rehabilitation, he has had further specialist input provided by our Housing and Seating Assessment Services.

Michael has had extensive work done in his home to give him the opportunity for more independence.

The first major modification was the flooring, as he had the carpet replaced with vinyl flooring throughout the house. Michael says this was his favourite modification, as it gave him the freedom to move around in his manual wheelchair, without getting stuck on the soft carpet.

“We knew that using the manual chair was my biggest goal. So, we pretty much did everything possible around the house to make that easier for me to use and just be able to get around.”

Everything possible was done, including widening the doors, changing the layouts of rooms, and widening gaps, so there is not such a tight squeeze.

His bathroom was remodeled to provide one big wet area to wheel into, instead of having to get himself in and out of the shower. The bathroom vanity was also replaced with one that he can now comfortably wheel under. A ceiling hoist system has been installed in the bedroom as well which allows Michael to get from his bed to his wheelchair and shower commode.

Getting in and out of the house was also a priority, first made easier by two automatic doors. These doors can be opened by waving at a sensor on the wall, but Michael also has a button on his chair, which open the doors quickly and easily. Previously, if he ever needed to make an emergency escape, the door in his bedroom led to a step down to a patio and wet grass. Now, there is a ramp that runs around the perimeter of the house, giving him ease of access to his backyard and a second exit.

Beyond the large modifications to the house, there are also many smaller, less noticeable changes that make huge differences to Michael’s independence. For example: small aids like suction rails that stick to the fridge door, making it easier for Michael to open and grab his drink bottles. Recently, he has had new lights placed in his lounge and these will eventually be replaced throughout the whole house, all of which he can control from his phone.

“The housing modifications made a huge difference. It all looks great and just makes the house so much easier to use and get around.”

Michael is hoping to get back into the workforce, perhaps even being able to work in the administration side of a concrete business, matching his skills and experience. As an expert in the trade, he would love to continue to help out in any way possible. He is also considering some future study.

We thank you for sharing your incredible journey of success with us Michael, we are so thankful we could make your home a place you can be independent in.

Good luck with all of your future plans and thank you for letting us be part of your rehabilitation journey.

At the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, we don’t just help those with traumatic brain injuries, but a wide range of injuries, from spinal, to acquired brain injuries. Matiu Payne is a client involved in a broad range of services at LFBIT after suffering a stroke in 2021. Here, Matiu shares his story of working to unlock the important knowledge within him, twenty months after his stroke. Matiu’s wife Dione has been his number one support and key advocate and she also contributes to this story.

Prior to his stroke, Matiu found himself incredibly busy. Matiu is of Ngāti Kinohaku and Ngāti Mutunga descent and enjoyed being involved with these iwi wherever possible, including attending wānanga and supporting his children to maintain whakapapa connections to these areas.

Matiu was a chair of one of the eighteen Rūnaka in Kāi Tahu, over in Koukourarata (Port Levy). This meant he oversaw the development of the Rūnaka’s social and commercial development and supported the hapū to develop and implement their aspirations.

He also ran his own company Hākari Rau, which ran several projects within the community. He was also a lecturer at Lincoln University as an expert in all areas of mahika kai. But, outside of work, he looked after the cultural aspects of his hapū. This involved taking care of the marae, all of the karakia, and the passing of Mātauraka Māori. All of these roles sat with Matiu, he was the one person that others would turn to, and the one to support the next generation.

Matiu’s busy life was suddenly put on pause, as a stroke caused a range of challenges for Matiu, including a right hemiplegia (half of his body didn’t work) and aphasia (language difficulties).

Two kaumātua who have provided vital support to Matiu are Matua Ruawhitu Pokaia and his wife Whaea Marisa. They have provided constant support from the time of his stroke by leading and facilitating karakia every night for four months until his discharge from Burwood Hospital, to their current cultural and spiritual support through continued engagement, support with te reo and karakia. Other kaumatua that have been important to him are Matua Henare Te Karu and his wife Whaea Miriama from Te Runaka ki Ōtautahi o Kai Tahu, Whaea Reihana (Doe) Parata, from his hapu at Rapaki, Ngati Wheke and Rik Tainui from Onuku Runaka who provided his whānau accommodation support while he was in Christchurch Hospital fighting to stay alive.

Matua Ruawhitu was also instrumental in paving the way for Matiu to utilise one of the kaumātua flats at Rehua Marae to support his range of rehabilitation support. The support from the Kāhui Kaumātua at Rehua and the Board has meant that Matiu has been able to access support from Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust throughout the week for the past 20 months. Without the support of Rehua Marae, Matiu does not believe his progress would be as far along as it’s been.

Communication was one of the most significant challenges for Matiu following his stroke. Matiu now has aphasia, which affects his ability to express and understand verbal and written language, not only in English, but also Te Reo Māori. This is especially significant, as his role and culture is founded on transmitting through language, more often orally rather than written. Matiu is one of the people given historical and geological information, and he has found himself in a position where it feels stuck in his mind. So, Matiu’s main goal in rehabilitation is to unlock this information.

Beyond the challenges in communication, Matiu is working hard to regain control of his body. Autonomy in things like driving a car was taken away, but through working with his physiotherapist, he has been able to work first on things like getting up off the ground, and now walking. He has even had some recent trips to have a walk on the beach.

“It was fantastic. I got to get up and out there,” says Matiu. “I saw the beach at Waimairi, the whole thing was wonderfully good. I didn’t get to do it for nineteen months. That felt wonderful.”

To aid with his physical rehab, Matiu is also receiving acupuncture twice a week, which Matiu says is having an amazing impact on his body.

Matiu works well with his rehab coach, and occupational therapist (OT), to help with everyday tasks such as opening and closing curtains, dressing, cooking and leisure activities such as carving. He has recently passed a driving assessment with help from his OT and is now well on his way to returning to driving in a modified vehicle. In the meantime, Matiu happily taxis to and from LFBIT, after a long time of having services come to him.

Matiu also meets with a psychologist on a fortnightly basis to help him adjust to life after a stroke and develop strategies to deal with his emotions.

“They were all very good with me, teaching me how to manage that. I love going to see them, they’re really good. When you’re talking to the team, it feels like they are giving everything they’ve got. They come along and they give me a good push.”

The most significant rehab Matiu takes part in is speech-language therapy, where he works one or two days a week practicing everyday communication in real life by travelling to cafes, the library, shops and supermarkets. At first, Matiu found this to be a daunting task, but now he says some of the challenges he initially felt, he doesn’t even think about anymore.

“So my words were very small, I could only just share my name, but my speech-language therapist Del just gave me a good nudge and gives me the hope and strength that I need that I didn’t have from within.”

Matiu’s wife, Dione says the impact of his hard work in speech-language therapy has already shown itself in multiple ways.

“The confidence he has gained through speech-language therapy has been huge. There was a major funeral here at the Rehua Marae; there were hundreds of people that came through. Ordinarily, Matiu would stay home. But he walked us over to the marae, sat for two days, and communicated with hundreds of people, all in Te Reo. He would stay for about four or five hours and then come back for a sleep. He kept his door open and people were coming in and out; he got to watch the kapa haka and enjoy the food. If he hadn’t had the previous twelve months of engagement in the community through speech-language therapy, he would never have been able to be a part of it.”

Matiu has also managed to have a few trips overseas, engaging with family in the North Island, and even to Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. Matiu hopes to continue travelling out into the community, which feels even greater now, as he no longer needs a wheelchair to maneuver, giving him further autonomy and freedom.

Looking to the future, Matiu has a large list of goals that he hopes to achieve. So, he is excited to see what the next six months bring, with the increased independence and progress that he may make in that time.

“I think about how hard he’s worked with all of you guys, and I’m like gosh, I am blessed,” says Dionne. “Things can go in different ways if you don’t have the phenomenal spirit that this guy has. The silver lining is that Matiu’s stroke has given us more time to spend together and appreciate each other, away from the busyness of life.”

Matiu knows that he cannot rush back into his mahi, but is excited to begin finding ways back into it, and to open the door to the knowledge he has to share. He is going to begin working with Te Reo tutors to further support his language progress. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with us Matiu, and we can’t wait to continue supporting you to reach your goals!