Eva’s path into disability arts and advocacy didn’t begin with a clear plan — it began with loss.

When a brain injury abruptly ended her career as a professional dancer, she was left without the physical capacity, industry connections, or tailored supports to return to work. Step by step, she reshaped her identity, finding new purpose through creativity, community, and advocacy.

This is Eva’s story, in her own words:

Transiting to the disability arts and advocacy sector was motivated, in the days early to experience of brain injury, by what I did before. Having been a professional dancer meant it was not known how to get me back to work. Left to my own devices, I needed to find how to move forward myself. Quite simply I took what I had and remoulded it to fit my new shape.

With all my prior connections lost together with the physical ability and social nous to affirm my place in the world, my injury literally flattened me forcing a remodelling of myself completely.

The therapies that were offered were not able to help with the enormity of my life change. Extended time was required to get myself back on my feet physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. The most helpful things found were; involving myself in community, volunteering and taking advantage of whatever offerings appeared for young disabled artists.

Over the years with experiences travelling, working, expressing myself creatively anew, becoming involved in advocacy and training and learning new modalities of healing for my Self and others, I now find myself co Vice President of the Board of the national advocacy organisation People With Disabilities Australia, director of www.byaccident.com.au and presenter of ‘anewyou.au’. National platforms are enabling the impact giving real chance to see Brain Injury (that affects 700,000 Australians) part of the national conversation at last.

When faced with life changing trauma don’t forget your flame. After taking the to land in your new world, take what enlivened you before and work within your capability to transform it to fit you now.

Don’t listen to the haters and forge your own road. Those who support you will appear.
Staying motivated and hopeful whilst managing ongoing grief and recovery takes time, lots of time and lots of work but do not be discouraged or believe it to be too much. You have the chance to rebuild yourself so do so.

It is up to you to find the things that work for you. Meditation? Exercise? Eating better? Involve yourself in your community. Volunteer for things you are interested in or that you have always wanted to try. Help others and through this, find yourSelf.

Have faith a new day is dawning and enjoy the new light cast upon your world.

It is yours to make!