Overcoming Life with a TBI: Leary’s Journey from Silence to Strength in Sink or Swim

On a quiet Monday morning in Austin, Texas, where the Colorado River winds through downtown and the skyline is punctuated by the Frost Bank Tower, a story from halfway across the world landed with unexpected resonance. Alexa Leary, a 24-year-old Paralympic swimming champion from Australia, had just called for a national traumatic brain injury (TBI) awareness day—a plea born from her own harrowing journey after a cycling accident in 2021 left her with severe brain trauma. For Austinites, a city where cycling lanes stretch along Lamar Boulevard and where the Dell Medical School’s Brain Health Institute is pioneering TBI research, Leary’s story isn’t just a headline. It’s a mirror.

Leary’s accident didn’t just alter her life; it split it in two. The “old Lex,” a champion triathlete with a future mapped out in podium finishes, vanished in an instant. In her place emerged a woman who had to relearn how to walk, talk, and—perhaps most painfully—accept that the person she once was no longer existed. “I always thought, ‘I want my old life back,'” she told ABC Sport Daily, “but when I think about it, no, I don’t. I love who I am now.” The contradiction is jarring: gratitude tangled with grief, resilience entwined with raw vulnerability. It’s a paradox familiar to the estimated 1 in 45 Australians living with acquired brain injuries—and to the thousands in Central Texas navigating similar battles.

What makes Leary’s story particularly relevant to Austin isn’t just the universality of her struggle, but the way her advocacy exposes gaps in local awareness and support systems. While March is recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the U.S., there’s no dedicated day for TBI—a gap Leary is fighting to close in Australia. Here in Texas, where the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication has studied the long-term cognitive effects of TBI in athletes, the absence of a similar focal point feels like a missed opportunity. The city’s vibrant cycling community, for instance, is a double-edged sword: a culture of fitness and outdoor activity that also carries the risk of accidents like Leary’s. The Barton Creek Greenbelt, a beloved 12-mile trail system, sees thousands of cyclists weekly—many of whom ride without helmets, despite studies from the Texas Department of Transportation showing that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60%.

The Silent Epidemic Hiding in Plain Sight

Traumatic brain injuries are often called the “silent epidemic” since their effects aren’t always visible. In Austin, where the tech boom has brought an influx of young professionals and families, the stakes are high. The Dell Seton Medical Center, a Level I trauma center, treats hundreds of TBI cases annually, ranging from sports-related concussions to severe injuries from car accidents. Yet, unlike conditions like cancer or heart disease, TBI lacks a unifying narrative. There’s no “Race for the Brain” equivalent to the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s events, no ribbon color to rally behind. This invisibility is compounded by the fact that TBI survivors often face cognitive and emotional challenges that don’t fit neatly into public perceptions of disability. Leary’s experience—mood swings, memory gaps, the frustration of being told “you look fine”—is shared by many in Austin’s TBI community, including veterans at the nearby VA Outpatient Clinic and survivors of domestic violence treated at the SAFE Alliance.

The economic ripple effects are equally staggering. A 2025 report from the Texas Brain Injury Alliance estimated that the lifetime cost of a severe TBI can exceed $4 million per person, factoring in medical care, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation. For a city like Austin, where the cost of living already outpaces wages for many, these expenses can push families to the brink. Local nonprofits like the Brain Injury Association of Texas (BIATX) work tirelessly to fill the gaps, offering support groups and advocacy, but their resources are stretched thin. “We’re constantly playing catch-up,” said a BIATX representative in a recent interview with the Austin American-Statesman. “The system isn’t designed to handle the long-term needs of TBI survivors.”

From Paralympic Podiums to Local Pools: A New Purpose

Leary’s journey back to the water is a testament to the brain’s remarkable plasticity—and to the power of purpose. After 111 days in the hospital and a grueling rehabilitation process, she returned to swimming, not as a triathlete, but as a Paralympic athlete. Her memoir, Sink or Swim, published this month, chronicles this transformation with unflinching honesty. “I jumped back in the pool and found a new purpose,” she writes. That purpose now extends beyond the pool. By advocating for a TBI awareness day, Leary is challenging societies—including Austin’s—to rethink how they support survivors. Her story has already sparked conversations in local adaptive sports programs, like the Austin Adaptive Sports Coalition, which offers swimming lessons for people with disabilities. “We’ve seen a 30% increase in inquiries since Leary’s story went viral,” said a program coordinator. “People are realizing that recovery isn’t linear, and neither is support.”

Yet, for all the progress, gaps remain. Austin’s healthcare infrastructure, while robust, is not immune to the systemic challenges that plague TBI care nationwide. Wait times for neuropsychological evaluations at the Seton Brain & Spine Institute can stretch for months, and many survivors fall through the cracks of insurance coverage. Leary’s call for a dedicated awareness day isn’t just symbolic; it’s a practical plea for funding, research, and policy changes. In Texas, where the legislature has historically underfunded mental health and disability services, her advocacy could serve as a catalyst. State Representative Donna Howard, a longtime advocate for healthcare reform, recently tweeted, “Stories like Alexa’s remind us that brain injuries don’t discriminate. It’s time Texas steps up.”

The Austin Angle: What Locals Need to Know

For Austinites, Leary’s story is a call to action—one that begins with awareness and ends with tangible support. Here’s how the city’s residents can engage:

1. Cyclists and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Austin’s cycling culture is a point of pride, but it’s also a risk factor. The city’s Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate traffic deaths, but cyclists remain vulnerable. Wearing a helmet is the first line of defense, but education is key. Local groups like Bike Austin offer safety workshops, and the city’s bike safety programs provide free helmet fittings. For TBI survivors, adaptive cycling programs like those at the Challenged Athletes Foundation can offer a path back to the trails.

2. Families and Caregivers

Caring for a TBI survivor is a marathon, not a sprint. Austin’s caregiving community is active but fragmented. The Brain Injury Association of Texas offers a 24/7 helpline, and local hospitals like St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital provide caregiver support groups. For families navigating the emotional toll, organizations like the Austin Center for Grief & Loss offer counseling tailored to TBI-related trauma. “The hardest part isn’t the physical recovery,” Leary said. “It’s the mental and emotional journey.”

3. Employers and Workplaces

Austin’s tech-driven economy thrives on innovation, but it’s not always inclusive of TBI survivors. Cognitive challenges like memory loss or difficulty with multitasking can make traditional work environments inaccessible. Yet, companies like Dell Technologies and Indeed have begun piloting neurodiversity programs that could serve as models. Local staffing agencies, such as Peak Performers, specialize in placing individuals with disabilities in meaningful roles. For employers, the key is flexibility—remote work options, adjusted schedules, and open communication can make all the difference.

From Awareness to Action: The Local Resource Guide

Given my background in public health journalism and my work with the Texas Healthcare Advocacy Network, I’ve seen firsthand how TBI can upend lives—and how the right support can transform them. If Leary’s story resonates with you or someone you know in Austin, here are the three types of local professionals you need on your radar:

• Neuropsychologists Specializing in TBI

  Not all psychologists are equipped to handle the unique challenges of brain injuries. Look for professionals affiliated with major hospitals like Dell Seton or the Ascension Seton Brain & Spine Institute. Key criteria:

  • Board certification in clinical neuropsychology (ABPP-CN).
  • Experience with cognitive rehabilitation and long-term TBI management.
  • Willingness to collaborate with physical therapists and speech-language pathologists.
• Adaptive Sports Coaches and Physical Therapists

  Recovery doesn’t complete in the clinic. Austin’s adaptive sports scene is growing, but not all programs are created equal. Seek out coaches with:

  • Certification from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
  • Experience working with Paralympic athletes or TBI survivors.
  • Programs that emphasize both physical and emotional resilience, like those at the Austin Adaptive Sports Coalition.
• Disability Rights Attorneys

  Navigating insurance claims, workplace accommodations, and long-term care can be overwhelming. A specialized attorney can help. Prioritize firms with:

  • Membership in the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).
  • A track record of successful TBI-related cases in Texas courts.
  • Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Texas-specific disability laws.

Each of these professionals plays a critical role in the TBI recovery journey. But perhaps the most critical resource is the one Leary herself embodies: community. Austin’s TBI support groups, like those at the Brain Injury Association of Texas, offer a lifeline for survivors and families alike. “You’re not alone,” Leary often says. In a city as connected as Austin, that message might just be the most powerful tool of all.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated TBI experts in the Austin area today.