My own independence: Mark’s story

Mark joined the timber industry after leaving school. He worked cutting timber and logging and enjoyed adventure. Twenty years ago, he had everything sorted: a job he enjoyed, great friends, a baby on the way with the woman he loved. Then one day he went to work and the next thing he remembers is waking up in hospital.

Everything changed

Mark sustained a severe spinal cord and traumatic brain injury. His spinal cord injury resulted in paraplegia. In his most difficult moments, Mark couldn’t imagine how he would be able to be a husband or father.

"I'd always been an independent person and ventured out on my own a lot. The change was hard and took it me a bit to ‘retrain' Mark remembered.

It took time for Mark to accept his injuries, to work out new ways of doing things and understand how to keep himself healthy and well. Mark has found that even though he had a bad accident and lives in a wheelchair, there’s a lot he can do.

"I really had awesome support from not only family and friends, but there’s case managers, my occupational therapist and nurses that actually put the time in and spoke to you" Mark said.

Mark can do it himself

What’s most important to Mark is his own independence. He values being able to do what he wants, when he wants, without relying too heavily on others. 

He lives with his wife and their daughter on acreage that is more hilly than flat. They have a few head of cattle, chickens, and a workshop where Mark makes furniture out of wood.

"Instead of getting the primary product I now make the end product, making something of the timber” Mark said.

Mark is never without a plan or idea for what he wants to do next, especially if it involves woodwork. He’s built beds, the family dining table, chairs and cabinets. "My car is rigged up with a hoist so I can lift the chair onto the back of the car. When I go out I can take my chair and don’t have to organise anyone to load and unload it. At the drop of a hat I can do it all myself, I don’t need anybody’s help" Mark said.

Reasonably necessary

Mark’s Case Coordinator at Workers Care is Silan. Her role is to ensure Mark's reasonably necessary needs are met. 

"Mark works closely with his case manager and occupational therapist. He can tell them what his goals are and they’re able to discuss with him what supports he might need. Where a need is reasonably necessary in relation to the workplace injury we are able to fund it” Silan said.

"I’ve got to know Mark and his wife, and I’ve seen how they support each other. Seeing what he can do in his everyday life, seeing how we’ve helped him with that, and knowing how appreciative he is, it’s very rewarding" Silan said.

Thanks to Workers Care, Mark can maintain his property, pursue his interests, and enjoy time with friends and family.

"It makes me feel good because I can do it all at my own will. Makes me feel awesome really" Mark said.