Hope Takes Flight:

There is a significant barrier, misjudgement and uncertainty between the brain injury world and the wider community. As a result, young students and older adults can be left unsupported, or even forgotten about on their way back to school or a workplace after an accident and will struggle immensely.

We as a society tend to be scared of what we don’t understand or what we cannot see, but we have a responsibility to discuss important topics and issues in order to grow and become a more accepting and inclusive community.

Our understanding and awareness of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a country is very minimal, and it’s about time we start doing something about it. The Orange Butterfly Foundation hopes to challenge this stigma by sharing passion, financial support and awareness of TBI throughout the community to help better support the lives of those living with TBI across South Australia. We hope we can work towards closing this misunderstanding barrier that unfortunately does comes with living with such an often invisible disability.

We hope to impact and create change across the brain injury community and the wider non-disabled community. Hopefully one day, these segregated communities can just be referred to as one.

—

Lauren Spear
Founder/CEO, The Orange Butterfly Foundation.

  • Dedicated to improving the overall quality of life for the brain injury community by creating a society accepting of all diverse abilities and needs.

  • Our mission is to bring invaluable financial benevolent support and community awareness surrounding concussion and traumatic brain injury to the wider public and brain injury communities in order to improve quality of life, through access to rehabilitation products and services, and decrease negative societal attitudinal barriers.

  • The Orange Butterfly Foundation believes that all individuals living with a traumatic brain injury, and their families, deserve understanding, acceptance, recognition, education and care across all aspects of life.”

    • We rely on mutual respect and trust, working with board members and relevant organisations with diverse backgrounds and knowledge

    • We put the needs of the individuals we are supporting at the core of everything we do

    • We value equal rights and opportunities for all individuals throughout society, where a disability is not perceived negatively

    • We value open minds and open hearts

  • Primary Objective

    The Orange Butterfly’s primary objective is to provide funding to people living with a TBI to enable them to access products and services that will create a better life. To assist and support the health and well-being of people living with a brain injury and the significant effects of concussion.

    Secondary Objective

    Increase public awareness of both brain injuries and concussion through the implementation of public information programs.

    Provision of effective and timely input into policy, legislation and program development through active contact with State Government Ministers, Parliamentary Representatives, State Government Departments and Agencies, and State Disability Organisations.

    Provide an ongoing support network for people and families living with brain injury and concussion injuries, by creating a support network using professionals to educate how to improve their understanding and awareness of brain injury and concussion;

    o Live independently in their own home;

    o Participate in their local community; and

    o Achieve their life goals.

    o Local Support Groups

    Raise funds for awareness and preventative programs, research, awareness and support programs through a number of different areas including but not limited to;

    • Public appeals, social media campaigns

    • Events such as dinners and conference

    • Movie nights

    • Fun runs

    • Public auctions

    • Selling goods or services

    Eventually conduct a small awareness and preventative program for children in schools about the effects of brain injury and concussion, signs and impacts on individuals and where to gain assistance.

Meet the team

At the Orange Butterfly Foundation, we believe in the power of personal connections and building relationships. That's why we are proud to introduce our dedicated team who are committed to helping individuals and families affected by Traumatic Brain Injury. Our team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those affected by TBI and are dedicated to providing the best support possible.

We invite you to meet our team and learn more about their backgrounds and expertise. You can read their bios on our website. Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have about the Orange Butterfly Wings program and the support we provide.

The Orange Butterfly Blog.

My story is something I want to share with the community, people who share a similar journey to myself, who want to learn or understand more, or are simply just looking for someone to tell them that they’re not alone. I’d love to create a safe space for not only myself to share my experiences and feelings, but to allow a community of people to come together and empower and encourage each other.

I want to open up about the things I have learnt along the way, in the hopes that my story may support someone else who may be going through the same journey, feeling the same emotions as I am, and unsure what to do, where to go from here, and what could possibly be in store next. 

My goal, is to speak openly and honestly about the effects my Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has had on my well-being and mental health. One day, I hope to bring comfort to others in the form of a foundation to promote and support awareness of the importance of mental health recovery throughout TBI recovery, and the many ways I have found support along the way.