Mark Both:

My name's Mark Both and I'm 42 years old. I don't remember it because I've lost my memory. I hit a stable pole and the stable pole hit exactly where my head was.

Alan Both:

We were at the time over in Sydney. The police notified us that Mark's had a bad accident.

Mark Both:

Everything on the right side was broken. I've got plates in my hips. Every right rib was broken. I couldn't recall two words out of a sentence. And I said, "Why is this so hard for me?" And he said, "It's your brain injury Mark." And we worked out that it was the brain stem.

Penny White:

He had such a severe brain injury, lots of orthopedic injuries. He had his fingers amputated. He had a lot of challenges ahead of him. He was really eager to have the help he needed to get back and out of the hospital as soon as he could and to start living life again.

Mark Both:

I can't say how much I owe it to LSA. LSA are the best in the whole entire world. Penny as soon as a challenge, is onto it She'll sort everything out for me.

Penny White:

It's about working with the participant rather than for the participant. What needs to be looked at. What equipment Mark might need, what attendant care he might need.

Mark Both:

So I have someone coming here, my carer, like get in the morning routine, get me up, get me going and then make sure I got everything for the day.

Mark Both:

Bring your lead. Grab your lead. Okay Buddy. Come. That's a boy, there we go. Come to me.

Mark Both:

Bonnie, Mum and Dad's dog, nearly on the hour, every hour, she would come in, check on me because she knew I was still walking with a walking frame and a lot of pain. I said to Mum and Dad, "I want a dog like that." So that's when I brought Buddy. If I'm out in a situation and my anxiety's too bad, he'll come up and he'll poke me. He's like a walking nurse. He will always protect me. I've finished dog psychology and Cert three in training. Now I'm a golden retriever breeder. So that's my name, Golden Tunia Retrievers and I can breed. I'm a breeder and a trainer now.

Mark Both:

After Buddy's graduation party, the weekend gone, I asked Amy, the boss at ABT Training, would I be able to do work experience or work placement? And she said, she'd be honored to have me.

Ann Both:

We knew Mark is just so inspirational and loving, really loving.

Penny White:

Trying to get goals out of people, whether they've had a brain injury or just anyone on the street is pretty hard, but Mark just keeps coming up with them. He's five steps ahead of everyone else, basically. I think a lot of us or all of us could learn a lot from Mark.

Alan Both:

Without LSA, I don't think we would be able to get through it.

Mark Both:

The more I do, the more they help.