Jennifer’s Story
Read Jennifer’s Story
Summary: The role of ABI case managers in the rehabilitation pathway in Ireland
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After two strokes at the age of 32, Jennifer was told she could not live independently.
With support from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Jennifer learned to understand her brain injury, manage its effects and rebuild her confidence. Today, she is General Manager of the Ocean Sands Hotel in Enniscrone.
Her story highlights the challenges of stroke recovery and what can become possible with the right rehabilitation and support.
Your donation can help another stroke survivor access the rehabilitation and support they need to rebuild confidence and independence.
Jennifer was running her own restaurant and living a busy, independent life when everything changed.
Just before Christmas, she suffered a serious stroke.
In the weeks that followed, Jennifer struggled with speech, concentration and overwhelming fatigue. Before she had time to make sense of what had happened, she suffered a second stroke.
Suddenly, everyday life looked very different.
— Jennifer
While Jennifer was in hospital, a member of the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland team came to visit her.
At the time, Jennifer did not realise that her stroke had caused a brain injury. When she returned home, she was told she could not live independently.
Only a short time earlier, she had been running her own business. Now, she needed support to complete everyday tasks and stay safe.
At one of the most difficult points in her life, specialist support helped Jennifer begin rebuilding her future.
A pivotal moment came when Jennifer entered Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s Transitional Living Unit (TLU) in Sligo.
The TLU is a home-from-home rehabilitation service where survivors receive specialist support to rebuild skills, confidence and independence.
With support from the team, Jennifer learned how to:
She also worked on rebuilding her strength, coordination and confidence through rehabilitation activities, physiotherapy and peer support.
These practical strategies still help Jennifer today.
— Jennifer
After leaving the TLU, Jennifer tried to return to her restaurant, but she was not ready.
She made the difficult decision to close the business and focus on her recovery.
With ongoing rehabilitation support, Jennifer gradually rebuilt her confidence and independence. She later returned to work part-time at the Ocean Sands Hotel and steadily increased her responsibilities.
Today, Jennifer leads a busy team at the Ocean Sands Hotel, something that once felt impossible.
Jennifer’s journey shows how life-changing a stroke can be, but also what can become possible when the right rehabilitation and support are available.
Every year, more than 7,500 people in Ireland survive a stroke.
For many, the real challenge begins after they leave hospital.
Stroke can affect communication, concentration, memory, fatigue, confidence and independence. While these challenges are not always visible, they can have a significant impact on daily life.
Without access to rehabilitation and support, survivors can be left struggling to rebuild everyday life.
In 2021, one in two people referred to ABI Ireland’s services had acquired their brain injury through stroke.
Each year, ABI Ireland supports more than 1,300 brain injury survivors in homes and communities across Ireland.
Demand for specialist rehabilitation continues to grow, but too many people are still waiting for the support they need.
Yet many survivors are still waiting for the rehabilitation and support they need to move forward.
Jennifer’s journey began in Sligo, but your support can help people across Ireland.
Donations help fund specialist rehabilitation, practical support, meaningful activities and assistive technology that enable survivors to rebuild confidence, regain skills and move towards greater independence.
These are the supports that helped Jennifer rebuild her life after stroke. With your support, more survivors can access the rehabilitation they need to move forward.
Your support can help another stroke survivor access the rehabilitation and support they need after brain injury.
— Jennifer
After a brain injury, Anne spent 12 years in a nursing home without access to rehabilitation. When she moved to Waterman’s Lodge, she began to regain choice, independence and everyday confidence. Her story shows what becomes possible when the right support is available.
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After a sudden stroke, Lynda was left paralysed and unable to see or speak properly. With the support of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, she regained her independence, rebuilt her confidence, and reclaimed the everyday joys she once feared lost. Today, she is thriving and inspiring others on their recovery journeys.
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Tony was a dedicated father of five and a skilled mechanic who had spent over 30 years fixing cars and solving problems. The garage wasn’t just his workplace—it was a community where his skills were valued, and friendships were built.
Then, one ordinary workday in 2004, everything changed in an instant. A forklift tyre exploded, throwing Tony across the yard and leaving him with serious injuries—including a brain injury that would alter his life forever.
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