"Hi!  I'm Grayden.  I've been placed in a nursing home twice during the last two years and I'm at risk of being sent to a nursing home again. 

I'm now nearly 25 years old.

But when I was 23, I suffered an acquired brain injury from a skate boarding accident.  Because this was not covered by workers compensation or motor accident insurance, I wasn't entitled to any compensation whatsoever.

"Hi! I'm Stuart...In late February 2000, I was on my way home after a night out when I was hit by a bread truck near my home in Bowral. I was 27 years old..."

I was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and was not given much chance of survival. When I arrived at hospital I was operated on several times and spent over a month in ICU in a drug-induced coma. After several major operations I developed a brain aneurism.

Initially the operation to remove the aneurism went well. But shortly afterwards I suffered a stroke that now affects movement to the left side of my body.

A committed equestrian, 24 year old Leanne was riding her horse with a friend when she fell and suffered an Aquired Brain Injury (ABI). 

Leanne had been riding since she was 7 years old and was a skilled rider. 

On the day of her accident, Leanne and a friend were riding on a quiet trail when the friend she was with fell from her horse.  Leanne went to catch her friend's horse.

No one knows eactly what happened, but the two horses returned home alone.

Now in his forties, Brad has two children. 

He also has Huntington's Disease and lives in an aged care facility because there is nowhere else for him to go.

Their training in the very different support needs of frail older people, means that the nursing home's staff struggle to provide the supports Brad needs to maintain his health and well being.

Living with people 60 and 70 years older than he is means that Brad has little interaction with the other residents.

"My name is Kerry and I live in an aged care nursing home because the supports I need to live in the community don't exist ..."

Living with frail older people isn't much fun. In fact, it can be pretty dull and boring! 

Instead of playing bingo, I'd rather watch the latest movie! 

Or meet some friends for coffee or lunch, listen to Greenday or send some emails to friends overseas...just normal everyday things.

"My name is John and I'm living in an aged care facility because the supports I need to move home don't exist ..."

JOHN HAS Multiple Sclerosis and until a year ago, lived in his own apartment and received support in his own home. He went into hospital for a reassessment and underwent surgery.

Recovery from this surgery compromised his MS and by the time he was ready to return home, he needed more care to live alone.

"My name is Kreesan and I'm currently living in a hospital ward because there's nowhere else for me to go..."

I am half way though my Law Degree and I want to return to the ANU and finish.

I also want to get back to my teaching duties and get my life back on track.

But because I've had to remain in hospital without the rehab I need, I now need a lot more assistance to regain my independence.

 "My name is Vicky, and I have lived over half my life in an aged-care facility..."

I want to live in the community with other young people, and have a life.  Living in a nursing home has meant I've lost all my friends.  Even though I make friends with the other elderly residents, they die.

Being surrounded by death is upsetting and depressing.

I want to live in the community in a shared house with other young people my age and see the latest films, go to the pub for a drink and help other YPINH get the life in the community they want.