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SCROLL 1 - NAIL BEER - NEVER GIVE UP - 2005
When I had my accident in 2004 ((www.nailbrewing.com.au/specialstories/head-injury) I wasn't legally allowed to work for 12 months and concentrated on just my health. My life totally stopped - not paused - was stopped and reset. My business, lifestlye, income, things I could do were all stopped. I was alive and healthy so can't complain. For the first 7 months I had a big hole in my head where my skull was removed. I had to wear a helmet to protect my brain. I could rock my head and you could see my brain move. It was a miserable feeling.
In November 2004 a titanium mould was finally put in my head. Its a pity this operation isnt considered higher importance in our health system (being rated as cosmetic surgery?). However, I'm very very lucky our health departments are the best in the world and not only did they save my life but also you wouldnt even know that half my skull is titanium. It was the lowest point in my life and a place I never want to go again. Nail Brewing and myselfs motto became "NEVER GIVE UP". A good freind of mine Bruce Dewar, who runs Iron Mans and does Rotto solo swims motto also is Never Give Up. Simply if you give up you lose.  What I didnt realise is never giving up was going to be so hard and long and is still going in 2011.
In February 2005, I was the fittest and strongest health wise I had ever been. I was still going to RPH Shenton Park 3 days a week where I would go to the gym. I had hair on my head and though the scar could still be seen I felt normal. I had removed the pain out of my head about Nail shutting down. I was no longer introduced to people as the freind of mine who brew Nail Ale but the freind of mine that has acquired brain injury (ABI). I didnt like this as I saw I was just having a break from Nail. I dont mind people saying I have ABI and in some strange way I am proud of it. The hard thing was people were evaluating me on how bad my brain injury was. I was finding it hard myself to work out what damage was done. A freind asked me how damaged I thought I was which I didnt really mind. But he also said that he thought I was 5% and so and so thought I was 20%. From what he said I think he was trying to say that he doesnt think Im that damaged but some others do and he was surprised. It didnt hurt me what he said but I just didnt like people evaluating me. What really mattered was how was I? Being nearly a year from the operation I actually felt pretty much the same but my life was nothing. The sad thing for me was the economy and the craft beer industry was about to boom and Nail Ale was becoming a beer of the past.
My Sister Jennifer and Kevin flew me to Bali with my mate Gareth. Gareth was my mate that caught the bloke that hit me which would eventually leave me with being able to have mediation with him and give me closure on my hatred towards him. Going to Bali gave me a fresh breath of life again.
Jamie Stranger (above top right) and Sharron then flew me to visit them in Hong Kong where I met up also with Jamies brother Craig Stranger (above bottom right with me).
SCROLL 2 - NAIL BEER - MAKE THE MOVE -2009
SCROLL 3 - NAIL BEER - ?
LAST UPDATED - 2011 August. |
Sea Shepherd sends a special mention of great appreciation for onshore support to the following individuals and businesses: Hayley Radford, Olly Klokhag Rowlett, Liza and Mike Dicks, Brendon Clark and all the team from Clark Australia Group, Macca and all the team at BME Engineering, John and the team from Nail Ale Brewery, Peter Wales and all the team from Kailis Marine, all the team from Eye In The Sky Magazine, and the Perth Chapter of Sea Shepherd - thank you!
