Life was great. I was the head chef at the Ozone Hotel, which is the largest hotel/motel on Kangaroo Island. Met & married an Island girl Sharon Cook; we had 2 wonderful children; a home of our own; I had long service leave, so Sharon & I, went for holiday to Bali; after we returned home, decided to go for a family holiday, to the Gold Coast, in our wonderful new car.
It was 22nd October 1998; I had returned to work, had the day off & decided that I would go out fishing, with my father. Mum & Dad had a property about 14 km away, on the north coast, had it’s own boat launch area, & good fishing right out in front. Sharon wasn’t very keen for me to go out, even less, when I asked to use the Berlina, (Our new car, which she had been given control of). However she reluctantly agreed. So I set off for the day, had a good day’s fishing, & was retuning home, around 4pm. I had cricket practice to go to!
That’s when our lives changed forever! I had a serious accident on the way home. Trees don’t move for anyone!
Lucky for me an off duty ambulance officer was following, & managed to get me breathing, stopped a passing car & asked them to call into the next house, phone an ambulance & tell them the State Rescue Helicopter would be needed.
It was discovered later; I had sustained a brain injury & spent 12 wks in a coma. Months of care & frustration followed, for Sharon & my entire family. I spent a year at the Rotary building, Brain Injury part of Julia Farr (now Hampstead); to get me at my best, for me to return home.
Because of my brain injury, I have lost the use of my left side; have limited use of right arm & fingers; my sense of balance therefore I am confined to a wheelchair. However, I have learned since my accident, because I have seen far worse cases than mine, it’s far better to look at the things you have, rather than looking at what you have lost! I still have my brain; my wife & family; I can feed myself; can type slowly with my right hand (I use to be left handed).
But I think one thing I still have that is very important, my sense of humour!
I have written a book - U got to laugh!!, with help from Simon Kneebone & Sharon Menz (Sha). This was only created to have a laugh!
Carers are now required, not only in my life, but the entire family’s lives! They do an outstanding job (not highly paid either), for me, as with many people in similar situations. Life would be very hard for all of us, without their help!
They have a sense of humour, & believe me, often need one!
June 17th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
thank you sharing with your history. i know you are feeling but courage Mr Peter, and put very thing into prayer and God will bless. i wishes you good recover take of yourself.