Beyond Brain Injury: ABI Ambassadors
Paul Anicich
Paul was a prominent and successful lawyer and Chairman of Newcastle-based national law firm Sparke Helmore where he worked for over 35 years. He enjoyed snow skiing, travel and wine. Paul contributed to the community in voluntary roles on not-for-profit Boards such as Hunter Net and was the Chairman of the Newcastle branch of the Salvation Army for many years. At the height of his career and at a point where he thought had a “perfect life”, on 1 October 2005 his life was to change forever.
“I was on holiday with my family and a group of other Novocastrians on a beach in Bali when suddenly we were in the middle of a terrorist attack. The terrorists were suicide bombers, intent on bombing to kill themselves and whoever else they could do the same to,” says Paul.
“My final recollection of that horrific evening is laying blood soaked, face down on the greasy sand of that ordinary beach when I truly believed it was the end of my earthly existence.”
Paul had sustained injuries caused by shrapnel, which to this day still remain in his body causing ongoing pain, but more significantly he suffered a traumatic brain injury. “ My injuries are for life. I can’t drive, I can’t drink, I find it difficult to remember appointments – to manage my life. I lost my ability to work, which is what I loved the most” says Paul.
“Up until that fateful day my life had consisted of my law studies, then 35 years of practicing law. I think we can be like racehorses- blinkered. The Law firm became my life. What happened to me has made me realise I was spending too much time there and not enough on ‘Life’. My life is very different now”.
The amazing thing is I don’t know why someone allowed me to live while others around me were dying. If I was chosen to survive, which is the way I see it, I was chosen for a reason. I like being involved with Headstart as their Ambassador. I like now doing things for people who could use a hand whereas before, my life had no room in it for this”, says Paul.
As a Headstart Ambassador Paul chats with others who’ve suffered a brain injury, he describes himself as an ‘encourager’. Paul is passionate about learning. He started an Arts Degree at the University of Newcastle in 2011 and is majoring in History and Writing and loves that he can continue to learn. He’s enjoying making new friendships, has a rounded life and says he has learnt a lot about other people. “I’m now doing other things that I would never have had the opportunity to do. Opportunities given to me by whoever it is you believe in and through the good fortune I’ve had, to help others through good deeds.”
