Gabriel Ng (Menzies, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about acquired brain injury, also known as ABI. I recently met with a constituent, Nicola Harris, who bravely and generously shared her story with me, to advocate for better awareness and support for people with ABI. She gave me permission to share her story here today.

Nicola was nine years old when she was run over and sustained a brain injury. Later, when she was working at a hospice, she was groomed by the head of pastoral care. The abuse continued for 15 months and left her deeply traumatised. She disclosed the abuse to a friend. Two weeks later, she was dismissed. For many years, she believed it was her fault that she had been dismissed; she thought she was not good at her job because of her injury. It was only when she saw a psychologist 30 years later that she learned she had been groomed and that her dismissal was related to concerns that she might have reported what had happened.

This is her story, and she continues to live each day with the challenges that come from having something invisible to others but which has a profound impact. Her story is one of frustration at being constantly misunderstood, but it is also a story of incredible strength. Nicola not only shared her story but also strongly advocated for better understanding of her condition.

One in 45 Australians live with an ABI. It can result from trauma, stroke, infection or substance abuse. Yet, despite how common it is, awareness and understanding remain very low.

ABI is often called a silent injury. There are often no signs or symptoms on the outside. Because there may be no visible signs, this can lead to misunderstanding and stigma.

Unlike conditions such as autism or ADHD, ABI does not have the same recognition or public profile. Many people with ABI spend their lives trying to appear normal. Every day is spent managing fatigue, confusion and mental overload. It is exhausting, and yet they are too often judged as lazy or unmotivated. In reality, ABI can reduce executive functioning, making it harder to plan, to remember and to control emotions. For many, nothing feels automatic anymore. Every task requires effort and concentration.

ABI also increases vulnerability. People with ABI are more likely to be taken advantage of, manipulated or abused.

Inspired by Nicola, I stand today to raise awareness. ABI deserves to be better recognised in our national discussions on disability and neurodiversity. Awareness would reduce the social and emotional costs of exclusion and misunderstanding. We need education, training and public awareness, so that employers, teachers and health professionals can better understand ABI. Thank you, Nicola, for sharing your story and for your advocacy.