APPEARANCES can be deceiving – just ask Launceston man Shayne Thorpe. Looking at the 42-year-old, you would easily think that he was physically fine. But the single father is anything but after his life was impacted by an acquired brain injury. An assault in September 2013 left him in a coma for two weeks and in hospital for eight. He is now deaf in his left ear, has to wear glasses after previously having perfect vision, has no sense of smell and little sense of taste, gets tired quite easily and has issues with his balance. He has also had an ongoing battle with depression following the injury. The qualified builder, who owned his own business, is now unable to work in that field, and is back living at home with his parents for both financial reasons and emotional support. He doubts he will ever be able to work again in the building industry as he once did, but is keen to re-enter the workforce. Speaking during Brain Injury Awareness Week, Mr Thorpe said he believed a lot in the community did not realise the impact that a brain injury has. ‘‘People see you and take you as you are and think you are fine, but they have no idea what goes on up here that affects everyday life,’’ Mr Thorpe said. ‘‘Little do they know how hard you actually have to push yourself to front up each day.’’ Mr Thorpe encouraged those who are in a similar situation to ensure they always have one eye on the future and that they have a strong support group. Tasmanian Acquired Brain Injury Services client service provider Paul Mansfield said the awareness week was important in helping people understand how a brain injury impacts people. ‘‘We describe a brain injury like being an iceberg – 10 per cent up the top and 90 per cent underneath – and until you really scratch the surface you really don’t know what’s going on,’’ Mr Mansfield said. Brain Injury Awareness Week runs until Sunday.
APPEARANCES can be deceiving – just ask Launceston man Shayne Thorpe.
Looking at the 42-year-old, you would easily think that he was physically fine.
But the single father is anything but after his life was impacted by an acquired brain injury.
An assault in September 2013 left him in a coma for two weeks and in hospital for eight.
He is now deaf in his left ear, has to wear glasses after previously having perfect vision, has no sense of smell and little sense of taste, gets tired quite easily and has issues with his balance.
He has also had an ongoing battle with depression following the injury.
The qualified builder, who owned his own business, is now unable to work in that field, and is back living at home with his parents for both financial reasons and emotional support.
He doubts he will ever be able to work again in the building industry as he once did, but is keen to re-enter the workforce.
Speaking during Brain Injury Awareness Week, Mr Thorpe said he believed a lot in the community did not realise the impact that a brain injury has.
‘‘People see you and take you as you are and think you are fine, but they have no idea what goes on up here that affects everyday life,’’ Mr Thorpe said.
‘‘Little do they know how hard you actually have to push yourself to front up each day.’’
Mr Thorpe encouraged those who are in a similar situation to ensure they always have one eye on the future and that they have a strong support group.
Tasmanian Acquired Brain Injury Services client service provider Paul Mansfield said the awareness week was important in helping people understand how a brain injury impacts people.
‘‘We describe a brain injury like being an iceberg – 10 per cent up the top and 90 per cent underneath – and until you really scratch the surface you really don’t know what’s going on,’’ Mr Mansfield said.
