Recovering from a brain injury is challenging, but for patients living hundreds of kilometres from Brisbane, accessing ongoing specialist rehabilitation after leaving hospital can be even more difficult.
This Brain Injury Awareness Week, PAH is highlighting the vital role of accommodation provided through the Acquired Brain Injury Transitional Rehabilitation Service (ABI TRS), which supports patients from outside the 50-kilometre service radius to continue their recovery close to specialist care.
Two recent ABI TRS patients, Zoe York from Dulacca and Brian Atkinson from Roma, used the accommodation while completing their rehabilitation programs.
Zoe's rehabilitation journey began after a previously unidentified cavernous malformation in her brain bled multiple times shortly after she graduated Year 12.
"The first four months after surgery were spent in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) completing extensive rehabilitation," Zoe said.
"While progress was slow at first, as time went on the return of movement got more and more rapid, and by the time I left, I was able to walk short distances with the assistance of a walking stick and do small tasks with my left hand."
Following her inpatient rehabilitation, Zoe and her mum spent seven weeks with the ABI TRS, allowing her to continue physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology while transitioning back to everyday life.
"Since my family lives about 400km from Brisbane and around 150km to the closest physio, occupational therapist and speech pathologist, it was important that we made the most of the services in Brisbane while we were there," she said.
"Having this service meant a lot to us emotionally, economically and physically. Being able to stay in a home away from home in Brisbane for an extra seven weeks after being discharged was one of the most important parts of the whole ordeal."
Now more than six months after surgery, Zoe has returned to Dulacca and is focused on rebuilding her independence.
"I’m improving every day and am working towards completing vet nursing which is what I intended on doing after graduation."
For Brian, his rehabilitation journey began after sustaining an acquired brain injury in Roma.
"Moving into the ABI TRS accommodation was a really positive step," Brian said.
"Instead of being in hospital where everything is done for you, you're living more independently. You've got the freedom to make your own choices and test yourself in everyday life, while still having support if you need it from therapists."
The accommodation has also helped him establish routines that reflect day-to-day life outside hospital.
"I get up early, get myself ready, walk over to the rehabilitation centre and take part in the group sessions," Brian said.
"I'm getting back into shape after being really deconditioned from being in a coma. I've been working on rebuilding my strength through weight training."
"Leaving hospital is a much bigger change than you realise, especially after being there for two months," he said.
"I'm still really keen to get home because I miss the country life, I'm a bush guy, but being here is helping me prove to myself and everyone else that I'm ready."
Brain Injury Awareness Week is held from 17 - 23 August 2026 to raise awareness of brain injury and its impact across Australia.
Thank you to all our hardworking staff at ABI TRS for your incredible compassion and dedication every day.