Gees! What a ride!

Brain Injury Support Groups

Scary!

As I mentioned before, asking for help is scary. Walking into a room full of complete strangers? That was absolutely terrifying.

My thoughts were all over the place.

Would I make a fool of myself? Would my brain suddenly shut down? Would I be different? Would I be judged… again?

But the hope of connecting with people who were “like me” was stronger than the fear. As I started to feel a little stronger, a little less buried, and a little less emotionally reactive, I decided to give it a go.

Walking into that first group was awkward. I was quiet for most of the session, although I did manage to quickly introduce myself (eeeekkkkk!).

Each time I attended, it became a little easier. I discovered the room was filled with amazing humans who shared so many of the same struggles I did. People who understood without needing long explanations. People whose thoughts wandered mid-sentence too.

Yay… it’s not just me!

Over time, the support group has become a place of comfort—a little sanctuary where I feel safe to share, be understood, and simply be myself.

Advocacy

Before the “big bang,” I had no idea how many support and advocacy services existed for people like me, or how important they could become.

Like anything, some services are amazing and some aren’t quite the right fit. But when you find the right people, they can make an enormous difference.

Advocates can support you through assessments, appointments, and the often overwhelming systems we have to navigate. For me, one of the biggest benefits was having someone else there to help “record” what happened. With my memory being so unreliable, I often struggled to remember what had been discussed once I left an appointment.

Simply having another person beside you can be incredibly reassuring. Even if they don’t speak on your behalf, knowing you’re not facing it alone brings a sense of comfort.

It’s also helpful when your advocate has specialist knowledge. Understanding ACC, WINZ, or the healthcare system can make accessing the right support much less overwhelming.

HIPS Team – Health Improvement Practitioners

When I completely crashed and my world felt incredibly dark, small and very frightening, the HIPS team were some of the only people who could help me straight away.

I had assumed that because mental health is spoken about so much these days, accessing support would be immediate. Unfortunately, that wasn’t my experience.

There were waiting lists, referrals, assessments, and time… all things that felt impossible when I was struggling just to get through each day.

The HIPS team became a bridge during that difficult period. They offered support when I needed it most and helped carry me until I could access the longer-term services I desperately needed.

Sometimes, having someone walk alongside you while you wait can make all the difference. 🥰