Would you care to join me in making a positive difference for memory sufferers?! I’m raising money to benefit Dementia Australia, and any donation will help make an impact. This foundation resonates deeply with me. I've suffered from short-term memory loss alongside moderate mobility function (falling out of bed in the hospital every time I tried to walk) ever since my Traumatic Brain Injury in late 2012. Knowing that all the proceeds will be going to the research in helping people of all ages having trouble with memory brings me delight.

Having the sudden great loss to recall information at the time of my injury was a big blow to deal with. The silver lining came in many ways for me to not take the pessimistic route. As I switched my attention to other senses around me such as the immediate scenario, I would totally forget about the memory loss. After a successful recovery at the Brain Injury Recovery Unit to regain the ability to walk and talk again, I have found a love to inspire everyone to practice a healthier and happier life. Getting back to walking free of assistance was gradual yet rewarding process, from wheelchair to a walking stick and eventually nothing needed.

Therapy at the BIRU took close to a year with physio, mental, and other functional skills. Every patient then gets assigned a team once we move back to our homes to ensure we can manage our life, from care manager, occupational therapy, to a psychologist. What I am incredibly grateful for is not losing the memories up until a year prior to my accident. I am so blessed to have a big and supportive family on both sides, alongside a lovely mixed network of friends.

This is all thanks to my incredible partner Shizuka. She's taught me there's so much more to life in what I became comfortable with and instead maximising the opportunities. Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial for growth and mindset.

(Please do check out Jolly Duong's story)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jolly-get-back-to-life

By helping instill more of that never give up attitude when I took the "easy way out" in thinking my memory is never going to improve post injury. All it took was to flip that negative attitude with the commonly known encouraging phrase memory is like a muscle!

I've fallen in love with running after being inspired by her active lifestyle. So much so that I've incorporated a weekday 90 min tempo run session with 5 incline covering +12km. On the weekend, we love to have a slower paced run of 60 min together. My warrior girlfriend completed her first full marathon last year to join the 1% club! Knowing I can also be a part of that club and donating all the proceeds to my choice of charity brings me so much joy and purpose.

Thank you immensely in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me!!