Stories & Achievements: Dave’s Story
Dave’s story: Guardian Angels
There are two words to describe myself: very lucky. I reckon when I was in that coma mum and dad looked down and helped me. I reckon they would have blessed me. Because I was in a pretty bad way. I put it down to above. - Dave
I went to the beach day yesterday. We had a group activity and a walk just down at Merewether with Nikki. She’s our coordinator for all that. Whatever’s on I go and do it!
The social activities are something new in my life. I like the group so I keep going and I just pick whatever I want to attend. At the moment I’ve got all different support workers taking me out. We go and have fun! The guys from Headstart are good. The support workers become like friends to me. Life would be pretty boring without them, I’d be sitting around doing nothing. My co-worker is Lauren, she’s good.
I get support four days a week. On Monday’s I have a long shift and do whatever I want. Thursdays about twice a month we have lawn bowls. Fridays I go to gym at Wests with Louis. He helps with my balance and everything. Before when we first started gym I couldn’t get my balance right, but now it’s good. I do the treadmill and the bike and occasionally we’ll do something else.
I don’t mind a game of pool or two. I also used to play darts at the pub nearly every night of the week before I had my accident. I’m not into the pub or club scene much anymore.
I haven’t had a drink in four years. When I was in the coma I think they gave me medication to help me get off it. I came out of it and I’ve never had another drink.
I started very young. Most of my family drink. My dad was an alcoholic but he’s passed away now of course. It’s just a Windale thing to have a few beers. Windale’s where I was born and I lived there for 49 years.
I feel good today, because I know exactly what it does to you. I was a bad alcoholic.
“So I don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t gamble anymore. My health is good now. I had a problem with my heart a while back, so I see a heart specialist once a year, but it’s good now. Improved 100%.”
My brain injury was caused by a fall four years ago when I was drunk. The next day I went out drinking again at a mates place and I had another fall.
I just remember waking up in John Hunter hospital. They operated on my head and sent me over to Rankin Park. I stayed there for a while and they got me better. I used their gym and they have physios too. Then I went to I Am Here, which is a respite house until I could find a place and then I came here to have my own place.
My mum and dad both passed away over 30 years ago. I have five brothers, one of which is adopted. He lives in Melbourne now, another brother lives in Tamworth and the rest are all still local.
When it suits I go and stay with my oldest brother Wayne at Warners Bay sometimes. He was away working in Dubbo when I had my injury so he came back and took two years off work to help me get back on track. Wayne helped me get everything into place and made sure I had somewhere to live.
At the time of my injury I wasn’t working but most recently I’d had a job for five years at Awabakal doing lawn mowing.
Before my injury I played darts. I now play ten pin bowling once a week at Rec. Headstart began for me about 2017, not long after my fall. I remember Will coming out to interview me and then Brett coming to take me out. When I first joined, Cheryl was doing Rec and she was a big help and got me back on track again.
Headstart have helped me with my life. Before, my life was about drinking. Not any more. Now it’s about going out and enjoying myself.
I like going out with the other guys with brain injuries. It feels good to be around the guys. I tell them my story and we have a bit of a joke.and that.
Since I’ve joined the Headstart group I’ve known two blokes that have passed away. One had the same problem that I had with the drink. That’s the way it is.
I like to get out and take a walk at the beach or something like that, whatever is on. The beach was very packed yesterday, I think I got a bit sunburned. I don’t go in the water though! I’m not a water person. I just like to go to the beach and sit down and watch everyone else have fun. You can’t be inside a lot because of this virus nowadays. Headstart have got a lot of barbecues planned which will be nice.
It’s been hard with COVID not being able to do the usual barbecues and Christmas parties and things. I loved the recent one at Murrays Beach!
“Rec has been a life saver for me. These people are my friends and keeps me busy with a purpose. - Dave”
I’ve got exercises that I do because I’ve got a bad sciatic, so I do my exercises every morning. I get meals on wheels delivered three days a week and they deliver them. It’s good food! I don’t do any cooking myself. It’s not my thing. On the days I don’t have food delivered I may buy a frozen one and then whack it in the oven.
I don’t think too far ahead. I take a day at a time. I think that when my brothers get old maybe one day I’ll have to help them out. I’m 54 and my eldest brothers are in their 60’s.
“Before I had my accident the brothers weren’t real close. We hadn’t seen each other for years. Then they all got together and helped me out so we’re all a family again. That’s actually a good thing to come out of it. ”
Dave with his brothers. Photo taken when he found his adopted brother (2 years ago).
“I believe the way you think is important. I just decided to be positive. I like to be positive. If you’re negative it’s not going to work for you.”
Mel (who manages the SIL house) has been a good friend and was a big help. She got me being more positive thinking. So if I’m not feeling the best she’ll come and have a talk, ask what’s wrong and we work through it.
These days I’m happy to just to get out of bed and not have a hangover. That’s probably the best thing – to get out of bed and feel good!
