On Christmas Eve in 1981 Elizabeth Death (pictured) suddenly lost her eyesight and ability to hear for about one minute. She also couldn't feel the right side of her body and had a splitting pain in her head.
The then 20-year-old went to the doctor and was told she had a migraine.
Painkillers were administered but they didn't work and so she struggled through a sleepless night into Christmas morning. After three trips to the doctors Mrs Death was finally transferred to Launceston General Hospital. It was there that she was diagnosed with having had a stroke.
After receiving treatment Mrs Death's symptoms persisted and it was found that she had had another stroke.
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Doctors told her she would need to have a craniotomy in order to stop the bleeding on her brain - and that her chances of survival were slim.
Despite the grim outlook the operation went well and Mrs Death retained most of her facilities.
Now, at the age of 60, about 40 years later she is working to stave off some of the lasting impacts of her brain injuries by keeping her community informed.
After a long career in the education system Mrs Death is now employed by the Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House as the editor of the Valley and East Coast Voice - a newspaper published the to keep the local community updated.
"I enjoy knowing that something that I put in the newspaper may help someone in the community or it may mean that someone who might otherwise drive through the towns that we mention actually stops and supports businesses within the town," she said.
Along with making a difference working on the paper has also helped Mrs Death stay on top of some of the lingering effects of her brain injury.
The multiple strokes had left her with some fogginess when stressed and some minor speech impediments - along with lasting mental health issues.
Editing the newspaper has helped to prevent those effects because it forces Mrs Death to learn new skills.
It has also given her the opportunity to meet new people and raise awareness about the impacts of brain injuries.
"Knowing that I can put into the community something of what the community has given to me that is a really important part of how a community helps itself and that is the greatest satisfaction I get," Mrs Death said.
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