Ever wondered what it would be like to go through life having no childhood, and a brain that has almost completely rewired itself?
That is the lived experience of Leeann Barnett, whose five-part radio show and podcast series Headstrong — A Life with Traumatic Brain Injury has begun on OAR FM Dunedin.
Ms Barnett sustained a severe closed-brain injury at the age of 9 when she ran into the path of an oncoming car.
Her life effectively began again, as all traces of her childhood to that point were erased. Having to re-learn how to read, write, walk, talk and develop social skills, the impact was significant and ongoing.
The podcast was a way of “starting a conversation” about the gaps in support and research available to adults living with an injury sustained in childhood, she said.
“The supports that are in place are taken either from the perspective of a child with an injury or an adult who sustains a brain injury as an adult, and not for my group.
“How a brain injury affects us is different from those two groups.”
In addition to an exploration of Ms Barnett’s experience, the series includes interviews with health professionals, including Dr Greg Finucane, a specialist in the field of acute traumatic brain injury.
Headstrong airs on Mondays at 11am on 105.4FM and 1575AM
You can listen to the podcast here!
