Jacobsen Run for Recovery

As part of our fundraising, we are hosting a Labour Weekend Champagne Afternoon tea - see here for tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/1285175881662298/

Every day, 99 kiwis suffer from brain injuries.

On May 4, 2018, I was one of those kiwis. Whilst taking part in a Charity Boxing fight night, I suffered a Subdural Hematoma - a brain bleed between the inner layers of the brain. During the fight, I started to lose motor skills, so the fight was stopped. I had a seizure as soon as I returned to the boxing ring corner, then was unconscious until I came to 45 minutes later in the hospital, just before I was rushed into emergency surgery. I underwent an emergency craniotomy where the amazing neurologist team at Auckland Hospital were able remove some of my skull to access my brain, stop the bleed, remove the blood and reattach my skull.

I'm lucky to be alive and so grateful for everyone that has been involved in my miraculous recovery. I know that for so many others this is not the case.

Even though my recovery has been remarkable for the severity of my injury, recovering from a traumatic brain injury has been and continues to be a very slow and lengthy process. One I had no understanding of before my injury. Whilst I am fully physically able, I’m over a year into my recovery now and not yet back to my old self. I am working as hard as I can to get back to work full time however fatigue management is my daily struggle, so I need to take a rest each day. I find the biggest challenges are loud and noisy environments.

We are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding our complex brains and brain injury recovery - so the brain injury community need all the help it can get.

It has been a life long dream of mine and my sisters to run the New York Marathon together, so what better year to do it than this one, and celebrate life.

I have been given so much medical assistance and recovery support since my injury and I want to do something positive to give back, raising awareness of brain injury and recovery.

So, on November 4th 2019, Renee and I will run in the New York Marathon to fundraise for The Brain Injury Association (Auckland). We hope to achieve our bucket list dream that is now even more meaningful post brain injury.

To be able to even run the New York Marathon I have pledged to donate $4,000 (US$2,620) to the Rising New York Road Runners charity. Their youth programs impact the lives of nearly 250,000 children every year, instilling active lifestyle values that will last for life. Through physical activity, youth in the programs learn to set and reach goals, to value fitness, and develop self-confidence. I think this is a very worthy cause so I have selected this charity to gain my entry to run. This means that the first $4,000 raised here will go toward this New York charity. Please note that the cost of the race ticket (USD$358) and all my trip costs including flights and accomodation is being paid by myself personally.

All money raised over and above the first $4,000 will be donated to The Brain Injury Association (Auckland). They offer support and resources to those who are affected by brain injury, whether it be their own injury or the injury of a loved one. They understand the daily struggles and the constant readjustments required, and have the resources and links needed to begin enjoying life again!

Please help me fulfil my dream and run for those who can't. Every dollar counts to help such a near and dear cause for me and my family! Thank you so much for all your support.

Now all I have to do is run 42km. Compared to the last year, it should be a run in the park.

Follow my journey on Instagram @ Jacobsen_Run_for_Recovery