A New Beginning: Alexa Leary’s Journey Through Traumatic Brain Injury
July 17, 2021, is a date that remains etched in the mind of Paralympic champion Alexa Leary. It marks the day her life changed forever after sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a cycling accident at the age of 19. This day, she believes, should be recognized as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Day to raise awareness about the unique challenges individuals face following such an injury.
In Australia, 1 in 45 people live with an acquired brain injury, which refers to damage to the brain that occurs after birth. While Leary cannot remember the incident itself, the accident wiped out four to five years of her memory, leaving her with a sense of disconnection from her past. Her parents were left to piece together the fragments of a life she no longer felt connected to.
“People just think, ‘oh she fell off her bike’, that’s it,” Leary said. “But it’s like, no, I am living a full second life. I have severe traumatic brain injury. It has changed my whole life … it’s really hard living with a TBI.”
Emotional Struggles and Rehabilitation
Leary’s journey, as detailed in her new book Sink or Swim, began with significant physical challenges. Initially, she was unable to walk or talk. However, the most difficult part of her rehabilitation was accepting that the old version of herself had been lost.
“I always thought, ‘I want my old life back,’ but when I think about it, no, I don’t, I love who I am now,” she said. “Well, I am learning to accept and understand her, it’s just, life is really hard. Honestly, it is difficult.”
One of the major hurdles Leary faces is emotional regulation. Her emotions can fluctuate rapidly, shifting from sadness to happiness, anger, or depression within moments. To manage this, she works with a behavioural coach and uses notes to herself to help navigate each day.
“My emotions go insane,” Leary explained. “I get sad, happy, angry, depressed in a day, in a second.” Writing notes helps her stay on track and manage her emotions more effectively.
Achievements and Recognition
Despite these challenges, Leary’s achievements in the pool are nothing short of remarkable. At the Paris Paralympics, she won two gold and a silver medal, along with a World Record in the women’s 100m freestyle (S9). Her determination and passion for swimming have been instrumental in her recovery.
“It’s incredible, and I’m so proud of myself for how far I’ve actually come,” she said. However, processing delays made it difficult for her to fully grasp the significance of her victory initially.
“When I got out [of the pool], everyone was like, you’ve won, and I just couldn’t believe it,” she recalled. “It took a while for it to sink in.”
Advocating for TBI Awareness
Leary’s focus now extends beyond competition. She is determined to raise awareness about TBI and has chosen to share her story to support others facing similar challenges. She has met several individuals with TBI who have found inspiration in her journey.
“I will fight for [an awareness-raising day] because I feel like we need to be recognised and known because we all struggle with TBI and it’s really hard,” she said.
The Power of Music
While swimming has played a significant role in Leary’s recovery, music has become her greatest passion. After her TBI, her love for music became heightened. Even when she was unable to speak, she knew every word to every song.
“Music is the biggest part of my life,” Leary said. “I just love it more than anything.”
Her musical talents have also contributed to her sporting success. During her triumph in Paris, Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” became the soundtrack to her moment of glory. Leary recalls performing a little stage routine, singing “la la la” with joy and enthusiasm.
“[I] didn’t even care about the medal. I was like, this is going off,” she laughed.
Looking Ahead
Although Leary has aspirations to meet Minogue, she is currently focused on training for the Los Angeles Paralympics and possibly a home Paralympics in Brisbane. Her determination and resilience continue to drive her forward, proving that even after a traumatic brain injury, a second life can be filled with purpose, passion, and achievement.
