Ben Suncin

I don't let my brain injury define me because well, why give up? It's true I can't do some things I used to be able to do, but what I truly love is helping people and I can always do that. It gives me such a buzz. That's why I volunteer with so many wonderful organisations like the St John Ambulance or at events like Relay for Life. I'm able to help out at reception or hand out drinks to competitors at events. I just love interacting with people, that's what I did for a job before I had my injury. I worked at the Tourist Hotel Corporation and I loved providing that silver service.

I believe in paying it forward because I've had so much given to me by my community. I'm known as 'the Flag Man' in Wanaka because I collect flags. I love it when people in my community give me a flag for my collection. I'm in the middle of planning a walking challenge in Wanaka to raise awareness for the Brain Injury Association Otago. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month so I'm going to walk laps of one of our local parks from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. I've already had quite a few local workplaces and businesses interested in joining in. I want to get people thinking about why we wear helmets and why it's important to protect the brain. I also want to make sure people know that the Brain Injury Association is available to support people who have had any sort of brain injury, from tumors to concussion.

I was very lucky to have found out about them myself. I'd been struggling alone for many years when I heard Cathy from the Brain Injury Association Otago give a talk at one of the local groups I am involved in. When she spoke about the different problems that people with brain injuries can have, I was nodding along. I had a chat to her afterwards and she's been a great support to me ever since. She'll come up to Wanaka regularly for our support group, we'll have a cuppa together and she will help me with any issues. She's been an advocate for me when I've had trouble with different establishments, she doesn't let them get away with pushing me around. I also travel down to Dunedin to attend their social gatherings and it's great. I love the members and some of them visit me when they come up to Wanaka. Maybe some of them will come and walk with me in March. I'd love that. I'm glad I get out there and do the things I love because I think it's important to have a passion and as I always say, if you can do it, do it.

“It's true I can't do some things I used to be able to do, but what I truly love is helping people and I can always do that. It gives me such a buzz."