Before her accident, Eva was a force in motion. At 23, her life revolved around the demanding yet exciting world of professional dance.
Then everything changed. Walking home after a dance rehearsal turned Eva’s life upside down when she was hit by a car. On impact, Eva’s right tibia and fibula were snapped, and she was left with an acquired brain injury. The following month was then lost to a coma, the subsequent two and a half months a blur of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA).
For two years, Melbourne became the base for intensive rehabilitation and Eva’s goals were based on her ability to walk without a limp and dance again. Eva has since returned to the stage, however for her the experience is often bittersweet, triggering a comparison between her pre-incident identity as a dancer and the reality of her present ability. “I wanted to be normal again,” she shares, a sentiment that speaks volumes about the profound sense of loss experienced. Beyond the physical, Eva also had a strong desire for independence, to once again be self-sufficient and step away from relying on others.
Eva expressed some of the challenges she faced on her path to recovery, the most significant being the palpable shift in how others perceived her. “There was an obvious change in the way people saw me, discriminated against me,” she explains, highlighting the emotional toll of being devalued in the aftermath of her brain injury. And physically, Eva faced her own set of hurdles with poor balance and exercise. However pushing through these challenges led Eva to find her superpower in yoga and pilates, with one-on-one sessions guided by a physiotherapist each week. These classes allowed Eva to begin reconnecting with the intuitive understanding of her body she had cultivated as a dancer, granting her a renewed sense of control.
However, despite these obstacles, Eva has marked significant milestones. Re-learning to ride a bike in 2019 was a pivotal moment, offering not only an escape during the pandemic, but a new mode of transport and opportunity to significantly boost her balance. Regular participation in pilates classes has also become a cornerstone of her physical and mental well-being. And the exercise, once a challenge, has transformed into a source of strength and a testament to her resilience.
Support from others has also been instrumental in Eva’s journey. Friends, family and physiotherapists have become her support network, taking time to understand who she is, champion her goals and share the excitement of wins. And these achievements have profoundly impacted Eva’s quality and outlook of life. “It’s taken a very long time…but I’m finally acknowledging my strengths, how I can turn bad circumstances into gold,” she shares with a hard-earned wisdom, “I worked so hard on myself, so hard”.
Looking ahead, Eva’s hopes are ambitious and inspiring. She hopes that there is greater recognition for acquired brain injury and it can become part of a national conversation. Ultimately, Eva shares her story as a way to advocate for a greater acceptance of peer knowledge and the authority of lived experience through her projects ‘By Accident’ and ‘A New You’. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even after the most devastating of events, the human spirit, fueled by passion and resilience, can find its rhythm again.
Reflecting on her journey, Eva offers advice to others facing similar challenges: “Walk your own path.” She stresses the importance of discovering one’s passions and pursuing them relentlessly, believing that passion is the compass that guides healing. Eva’s own goals echo the sentiment and importance of passion, her physical targets symbolising Eva’s desire for freedom and movement – working with her body and engaging in the arts. “Challenge yourself,” she urges, “it’s the only way you’ll stretch your boundaries.” And finally, a message of self-compassion, “be proud of yourself.”
Eva’s journey is a testament to her determination. The outcomes and progress described here are not necessarily indicative of what others can expect. It’s important to remember that each individual’s experience with recovery, extent and nature of injuries and access to rehabilitation is unique.
Please consult with your healthcare professionals for personalised advice and support tailored to your specific circumstances.
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