At just 48, Todd was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a disease responsible for 10-15% of dementia cases in people younger than 65. It quickly affected his personality, behaviour and language, making him unpredictable and aggressive.

With a background in aged care, Todd’s wife Debbie says her greatest fear was a dementia diagnosis when she noticed his behaviour change in 2013.

“We discovered there isn’t a lot of support for younger people with dementia. My sister Lisa and I struggled on our own caring for Todd, and because of Todd’s behavioural issues, we weren’t able to get support workers in place or access respite services.”

As part of their NDIS funding, Todd was able to access a psychologist, speech pathologist and occupational therapist through Brightwater.

Today, Todd’s behaviour is more manageable, and Debbie and Lisa have good support systems in place. Todd now has behaviour management plan and a care plan, and a referral to a psychiatrist has resulted in more settled behaviour. A support person regularly comes to shower Todd and another carer takes him for drives.

Brightwater Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr Nicky Brosnan, said having NDIS in place had helped keep Todd at home, where he and his family want to be.

“Todd would have ended up in a secure dementia unit if his aggression had not been managed so successfully,” said Nicky.

Apollo’s life was transformed in an instant – but has taken years to get back on track.

An undiagnosed acquired brain injury left her in a state of limbo – and had a major impact on her relationships, her emotional wellbeing and the ability to continue running her real estate business.

Since starting to work with the Oats Street team in late 2015 as a day-patient, Apollo’s future has become significantly brighter.

At 22, Craig suffered his first stroke. Since then, he has had an incredible journey to recovery.

When Craig arrived at Oats Street, he could barely walk. In fact, he’s had to relearn an awful lot to regain his independence since suffering a drug-induced stroke in late 2013.

Craig is now an Oats Street graduate. His future is filled with possibilities, but this wasn’t always the case.

Today he lives in his own apartment, is able to look after himself, hold down a job and has a positive outlook on life.

Listen to Craig speak candidly about the difference Oats Street made to his life.

A brainstem haemorrhage stopped Mark’s high-flying corporate career in its tracks.

Coming out of a coma after four months his prognosis was bleak - he was told he’d probably never be able to talk, eat or drink again.

But Mark proved them wrong.  And today he’s learning to live independently again at Oats Street and planning a future that includes doing the things he loves.

Find out more about Mark’s story and why so much is possible if you’re willing to work hard.