MILESTONES BACK FROM BRINK TO INSPIRE OTHERS
CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT PAINTER, HEADWAY ABI
WHEN Scott Painter was 17 he had a million thoughts running through his head when suddenly the future he had in mind went blank.
The Lismore teen initially believed he had a crook neck from continually glancing backwards on the tractor while helping his parents Jan and Garry work the farm.
“I thought I’d torn a muscle so I went to get some acupuncture,” Mr Painter said.
“The blood vessels in that area had already been compromised and so I went into a coma at the clinic.”
It turned out Mr Painter had a brain tumour.
A surgery and three strokes later and he’d lost the ability to walk, talk and even swallow.
“I was pretty much a vegetable,” Mr Painter said.
“I didn’t want to do anything – I’d lost all hope.
“But mum didn’t and she kept pushing me.”
It took him eight years of focused rehabilitation in Lismore and on the Gold Coast but for the past three years Mr Painter, who doctors initially gave a less than one per cent chance of even surviving let alone improving, has been able to do almost everything he could do before his acquired brain injury.
The now 28-year-old qualified clinical exercise physiologist and accredited exercise scientist now calls Biggera Waters home and for the past nine months he has been working with Headway ABI.
Based in the non-profit organisation’s Molendinar headquarters, Mr Painter helps 29 clients use cutting edge technology including a virtual reality device called gymtronics. He’s putting not only life but hope back into their bodies.
“When some of them get on the equipment its the first time in a long time they’ve stood up,” Mr Painter said. “Their whole face changes and their carers are often crying.
“Not everyone is going to be able to do what I’ve done. But there is so much we can do to help improve their quality of life.”
Among Mr Painter’s clients Audette Hamlin, 28. is
The Southport resident was a teenage mum to a two-year-old when she had a grand mal seizure.
Medical experts initially thought it could have been caused by drug or alcohol abuse but in fact she had a condition called dystonia which means she finds it difficult to control her movements.
“When I woke up I was in bed and I couldn’t even move my head. All I could do was blink,” Ms Hamlin said. “I’m so lucky to have my mum. She’s a beautiful person – she’s just the best. I just want to be able to be a good mum to my son too.”
Nine years later and Ms Hamlin can not only walk but hold down a conversation.
Her goal for the next couple of months is to turn in a circle, something the mother to an energetic 11year-old needs to be able to do.
If you’d like to refer yourself or a loved one to Headway ABI, make a donation or volunteer, call 55744311 or visit headwayabiaustralia.org TENNIS TERRANORA: After an arsonist destroyed their clubhouse, Tennis Terranora held a twilight boat cruise fundraiser to help rebuild.
The response was overwhelming with a sell out crowd of approximately 100 people enjoying the magnificent views from the boat and the food provided by the Lindisfarne Grammar School.
Ticket sales at an auction on the night raised $16,000.
The Broadbeach “charioteers” go all out iat the state lifesaving championships’ chariot race at North Kirra. Picture by Ted Holliday.