Welcome to our latest edition of Shine Magazine June 2024

Through sharing personal stories in their own voice, others are able to learn about life after a severe motor accident or workplace injury. These real-life stories of resilience, recovery, personal growth, and new beginnings provide insight into life following serious injury.

In this edition, we hear from Des, who was keeping busy with a family of four daughters and working as an electrician when he fell from a ladder resulting in an incomplete spinal cord injury.

He’s since moved to a larger town, had another daughter, and focussed on goals like getting back to the gym, playing lawn bowls, learning to scuba dive, and getting out on his boat.

We also hear from: 

• Courtney, a vet nurse and animal lover, was driving home when she had a car accident and sustained a spinal cord injury. Following surgery and several operations later, she lives independently and has completed an internship providing support for people with spinal cord injuries. She is now keen to study more and pursue different work options.
• Mark, who was busy with work, family and outdoor activities, had a life-altering stroke after a car accident. Following major surgery and intensive therapy, he now lives a busy adventurous life, getting back to driving his boat and travelling around Australia in an adapted motorhome. He is looking forward to many more exciting adventures along the way.
• Buck, who was running his own carpentry business when he had a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. He sustained multiple fractures and abdominal injuries, had a below left knee amputation and uses a prosthetic left leg. He has returned to kickboxing and won a competition and is now training hard to reach his goal of being the best professional amputee kickboxer.
• Anthony, who sustained a brain injury in a car accident 3 years ago and returned to work 9 months after his injury. His determined attitude has helped him to resume the activities he loves and to set new goals, including travelling to Greece next year with his family.

We also hear from 4 icare participants whose interest in sport range from community recreational activity to international competition. They are involved in team sports, individual events and setting personal goals. We hear from:

• Brad Grove: Captain of Australian World Cup Wheelchair Rugby League team, the Wheelaroos
• Joel Vanderzwan: Invictus Games all-rounder
• Eva Lena Koslowski: Triathlete
• Adrian Birrer: Wakeboarder

icare is an Official Partner of the Australian Paralympic Team.

If you are a Lifetime Care or Workers Care participant, or a family member or carer and are interested in sharing your story, please call 1300 738 586 or email shine@icare.nsw.gov.au.