A near-fatal vehicle accident 15 years left Ocean Grove’s Henri Stunnebrink in a coma for two weeks with traumatic brain injuries, broken bones and missing teeth.
But he refused to let the enduring aftermath of debilitating fatigue and cognitive memory problems stop him returning to the workforce.
Mr Stunnebrink completed extensive rehabilitation before finding work with Geelong disability support agency Karingal.
He was now immersed in helping young people with disabilities to take on activities such as bush walking, multimedia, music and art.
“Before my accident I worked in IT but I knew I wouldn’t be able to return to the profession,” Mr Stunnebrink said.
“I approached Matchworks this year and they suggested I work with disabled people, which made sense to me because I’ve been disabled for quite a few years and understand it.”
Mr Stunnebrink said he was pursuing his musical interests to create a music theory and practice course for Karingal clients.
“I’ve already helped some of my clients to record songs at Pan Studio but it would be great to create a structured course which included reading and writing score.”
Mr Stunnebrink hoped to inspire a “never-say-never attitude” in his clients to demonstrate how people with disabilities could work through barriers.
“One of the boys I teach in my music course is very passionate about drumming but he’s not really good at it, so I showed him a few websites to help progress his drumming skills.
“I told him he might not have the energy or concentration now but if he started now and did a little bit every day he’d be able to build up his skills.”
Mr Stunnebrink said inspiring independence and responsibility in people with disbailities was essential.
Matchworks employment coordinator Jackie Collins said Mr Stunnebrink had been “very successful” since completing Karingal’s course.
Last week Karingal celebrated the 20th anniversary of International Day of People with Disability.
