A car crash eight years ago left Josh with an acquired brain injury, but with Brightwater's Oats Street rehabilitation centre he was able to live independently once again. 

Oats Street made sure Josh was strong enough to regain independence because it was one thing that Josh didn’t want to live without.

Janet’s dreams of an active retirement were shattered when a hiking holiday in Tasmania went horribly wrong.

A speeding vehicle smashed in to the car her husband was driving. The crash left Janet in a coma, with a traumatic brain injury and acute joint pain. After a six month stint in hospital, Janet was left feeling very frustrated. She moved to Oats Street rehabilitation centre where the community-based setting suited Janet’s outgoing personality, with her family noting a change in her almost immediately.

Fred remembers a car turning across in front of him while riding his motor cycle, giving him no chance to prevent the collision.

Fred has always loved to paint since he was a child, and with Brightwater's rehabilitation program, he was able to focus on the everyday activities he enjoys the most. It was no easy feat, but it made a world of difference, providing the confidence to get back into the world independently, once again.

An overdose on drugs caused Matt to suffer from a stroke, with the effects being more than just physical.

A young outgoing man in his 20s, Matthew’s confidence took a nose dive when he had to learn how to walk, talk and complete everyday tasks again. Matt had significant damage to his short-term memory, but his time at Oats Street enabled him to slowly re-gain the skills he once had and live a more independent life. 

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.

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.

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.