An individual who has benefited from Alliance-funded services is Audrey, a renowned award winning stone sculptor.
Audrey suffered her first ABI as the result of an equestrian accident, from which she recovered. Her second ABI occurred when her vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-trailer truck, resulting in catastrophic brain injury and debilitating physical injuries. Until the second injury, Audrey was living her dream life as an accomplished artist. The accident robbed her of her physical health, her successful life and much of her memory.
Audrey discovered NOSBIS slightly more than one year ago when she was desperately searching for relief from excruciating chronic head pain, the inability to process thoughts and the inability to speak and function in a way even remotely close to her pre-injury life.
Audrey contacted NOSBIS one evening after finding the phone number on-line. She was distraught and had suicidal thoughts after being shouted at by her doctor who discounted her physical pain and disparaged her inability to remain focused and able to function with the postinjury challenges of daily life. The doctor subsequently apologized for his behaviour when contacted by a Support Worker. A Support Worker who was working late that evening picked up the phone and provided immediate emotional support. With compassion and encouragement, the Support Worker talked with Audrey and assured her that help was available at NOSBIS.
Since then, Audrey has benefited from the Alliance-funded services provided by NOSBIS Support Workers in numerous practical ways, including assistance with home management; assistance with completing applications for Ministry benefits; assistance with food security; transportation and support for out-of-town medical appointments.
As a result of the Support Worker Program and the encouragement of her Support Worker, Audrey gained the confidence to teach charcoal-portrait painting art classes to adults. With support from NOSBIS’ Support Workers, Audrey continues to make insightful and difficult decisions in her effort to regain greater control of her life.
This isn’t a typical “success story”. Audrey struggles every day. This is the story of one woman’s resilience and “never give up” attitude in the face of constant pain, loss of her soul-satisfying career as a stone sculptor, loss of the happy and successful life she had established. It’s also the story of how the Alliance Support Worker Program has allowed qualified and compassionate Support Workers to connect with Audrey and provide the practical supports, emotional supports and outside agency advocacy to assist her as she strives to meet the challenges of her “new normal”.
