Anne's Journey

Anne’s story is one of incredible resilience. Born in Wellington in 1996, she faced a future filled with uncertainty from the start. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, her parents were given difficult news—doctors warned that Anne might never walk or talk. Yet her parents, determined and loving, were there for her every step of the way, nurturing her potential.

By the age of one, Anne’s mobility was severely limited. She struggled even to lift her head or roll over, and her hands couldn't grasp toys. While most babies were learning to crawl and explore their world, Anne was contending with physical pain, finding comfort only in water or when held upright. Despite these challenges, her strength and positivity shaped her life’s journey in ways that surprised everyone around her. Today, Anne is living a life that surpasses what anyone thought possible, embodying courage and joy in each new accomplishment.

My parents started me on an intense therapy programme, the aim of it was to train new brain cells to take over the functions of the old ones that died at birth.

I worked 4 hours per day, 6 days a week and had 30 volunteers come to my house each week. Fortunately, my intellectual cells were not affected, however close friends and family may disagree.

We continued this until I was six years old putting a massive amount of strain on my family but my parents were determined to help me so this is what had to be done. Over these six years, especially in the first few, life wasn’t easy. My mother didn’t just hit rock bottom, she lived there, and my father did the only thing he knew how to, went to work. However, he was also there to support mum when he needed to.

When he left in the morning for work I would be screaming as usual and mum would be crying, pleading with him not to leave her in this situation for the day and he would come home to the same thing, more screaming and crying.

They didn’t know whether they were doing the right thing either by doing the therapy and had no idea of any outcomes to expect. I am sure this was one of the lowest points for our family and luckily, I have minimal memory of these early years of my life.

As the years passed and the therapy continued things became easier for our family and I was able to do more and more. Eventually, by the age of six I started school and I was just able to walk but very unsteadily.

My teacher aide continued therapy at school and as the years went by I became stronger and by about the age of eight or nine, I was able to run, play sports, and participate in mainstream classrooms and activities just like my peers. The determination of my mum and dad and also my own, along with the guidance of neurodevelopmental therapist Ian Hunter made all this possible.

Joining Brain Injured Children Trust

Anne's journey eventually led her to join the Brain Injured Children Trust, where she found a community that valued her experiences and resilience. Having faced many challenges growing up, Anne understood the struggles young people face, especially around feeling different. From a young age, she grappled with self-confidence issues, finding it hard to fit in with her peers. As she reached high school, the social dynamics became even tougher. Students often judged her based on her disability, which led to bullying and isolation. She spent many lunchtimes alone, feeling sidelined and cautious about how others perceived her.

At the Brain Injured Children Trust, however, Anne found a sense of purpose and belonging. Now, she uses her own experiences to support others, helping them navigate similar challenges and promoting a more inclusive environment for young people with disabilities. Her journey has come full circle, as she works to ensure that no one else has to face what she went through alone.

Finding my self-confidence through Sports

One of the ways I got through this rough patch of my life was to start playing competitive sport. I competed for Paralympics New Zealand’s development squad overseas where I represented New Zealand in athletics and table tennis. This was a way of escaping the troubles at school, because of the travel I would often get quite a bit of time away. Being a part of the squad made me feel more accepted as being around other people with disabilities, there was no judgment, and all of us had similar circumstances. We’re all seen as an individual and not as our disability.

Through sport I was introduced to a group of people who now call themselves the Trillian Trek, whose goals are to better the lives of underprivileged and disadvantaged New Zealand children.

I became a recipient of a grant fundraised by them which helped towards the travel costs of table tennis. I also received a mentor named Mark Hellyer who was part of fundraising for the Trillian Trek. He opened up new doors in life and was always there when I needed support or advice. He got me involved in his fundraising team who became the mates I didn’t have at school. Mark was dedicated to helping me achieve my goals, even if it meant sacrificing his own valuable time and resources.

Where I am now...

My most recent achievements include moving out of home to a different city. I am living in a two-bedroom apartment in Auckland city which happens to be right next door to my work.

At the beginning of 2019, I gained a position with one of the biggest finance companies in New Zealand and Australia. This company values me and do not see me as disabled but instead as a fellow colleague. I feel an amazing sense of belonging and my input is always called upon and respected.

I may lead what some might call a normal life now, but this would not be possible without the intense therapy, determination and support of the Brain Injured Children Trust.

I am incredibly thankful to the trust and hope to see many other families achieve their dreams by providing the right tools to make the hard work a little bit easier.