Wānaka resident Ben Suncin is planning to undertake a 12 hour walk to raise funds and awareness for the Otago Brain Injury Association.

Ben, who sustained a brain injury in 1999 due to a surgeon error, will walk around Pembroke Park on February 22 from 7am-7pm.

The Wānaka App caught up with Ben to discuss his journey following his brain injury.

Ben has undergone 19 surgeries over the past decade to try and repair the damage done to the nerves behind his eye.

“The surgeon told me I would never walk or talk again. I could hear what they were saying, but I couldn’t respond.

There was no way I was accepting that as the answer for the rest of my life,” he said.

Ben has retrained himself to speak and walk again.

“Most people can get up out of bed and walk with no trouble, but before I can even move, I have to perform exercises to activate my brain otherwise my legs won’t work,” Ben said.

The Otago Brain Injury Association has been notable in Ben’s recovery, offering support for accessing government services such as ACC and Work and Income.

Liaison officer Cathy Matthews has worked closely with Ben, including providing ongoing communication development.

“It takes significant effort for someone with a brain injury to communicate with people effectively,” Cathy said.

Despite the long-term challenges, including limited vision and balance issues that Ben continues to experience from his brain injury, he welcomes the challenge that the 12-hour walk will bring.

He encourages people to get involved and join him at Pembroke Park to “just walk”.

As Ben says: “you’ve gotta use it or you’ll lose it”.

People can also donate directly to Ben’s Givealittle page. All the proceeds go directly to the Brain Injury Association of Otago. 

PHOTO: Supplied