The foreword of No Going Back by Mhairi Collins

It is a privilege to be asked to write this foreword for Mhairi’s book.  Over the past 13 years I have seen Mhairi face the challenge of recovery from the events of February 1996 when her life and that of her  young son Jason changed forever.

This book is about a journey into the unknown.  After working at a community level supporting people who have survived traumatic brain injury, the one thing I have learned is that predicting the outcome of recovery is so very difficult.  There are some commonalities in the challenges faced by a person recovering from a brain injury.  However, each person’s recovery is individual and influenced by so many factors, it is important that an open mind is part of the recovery process.

Throughout her journey, Mhairi has maintained a strength of character that has seen her push beyond the limitations of other’s thinking and insisted on having a go.
 
Mhairi’s determination to rebuild a new life for herself and son Jason, after the tragic loss of her partner Marty and eldest son Josh and in the face of her own significant injuries is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Many factors have contributed to Mhairi’s journey so far.

The support around her, from the many medical professionals and therapists involved in Mhairi’s recovery to the friends and family and of course Jason, Mhairi’s delightful son, who has watched and supported his mum as she faced the challenges of recovery through most of his life. Now a bright and intelligent young man who has some extraordinary life experience to take forward into adulthood, Jason I am sure, will take the saying “go with the flow” along his life’s journey.  I wish him success and happiness for the future.

A few years after the crash, Mhairi met Phil, his gentle but strong support has been so valuable to Mhairi, in taking away many of the worries facing survivors of catastrophic injury.  By providing a quiet stability around Mhairi, Phil has given Mhairi more than he will probably ever realise as they build their life together.

You would think that concentrating on recovery, grieving for losses and rebuilding new lives, would be more than enough for this young woman to contend with, yet Mhairi still found extra energy to help build the Brain Injury Association Northland.

In 1998, just two and a half short years after the crash, Mhairi attended the inaugural meeting of the Association, supported by Phil.  She has served as the Association Secretary and participated in raising awareness of the effects of brain injury in our community.  Her support of the Association continues through this book.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Association and support Liaison Service to support other facing recovery from the brain injury.

As a human interest story this book is full of human spirit and determination.

For friends and practitioners alike who are involved in supporting the recovery of anyone surviving a brain injury, please read this book.  It will provide something for you to take forward into your caring, understanding and practice.  For those who are on their own journey to recovery from injury, I hope you find inspiration that will give you the courage to look forward with determination and an open mind because it is possible to rebuild a new life as there’s no going back.

Vanessa Gray
The Brain Injury Association Northland Inc
Tel: 09 4595013
98 Cairnfield Road
Whangarei
northland@brain-injury.org.nz