Kai Sakakibara – Connectivity Ambassador
Kai Sakakibara was o
n track for the Olympics in 2020 before he suffered a devastating Traumatic Brain Injury.
What’s your sporting background?
I was a professional BMX racing athlete from 2013 to 2020. I raced internationally and lived abroad for many months every year. I was on my path to the Olympics which had been my dream since I was eleven years and was ranked 8th in the world before a serious crash put me in hospital with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Can you tell us about your TBI?
In February 2020 I crashed heavily in a BMX World Cup race in Bathurst NSW. I was in a coma for 2 months and had a craniectomy to reduce the pressure on my brain. After a further 8 months in the brain injury ward at Liverpool hospital I moved to a TLU (Transitional Living Unit) where I spent the next 6 months. I had to learn to do everything again; walking, talking, eating, learning how to cross the road, how to make shopping lists and go shopping. Literally everything. Recovery is hard and would not have been possible without help from doctors, nurses, therapists and family.
What has your recovery looked like so far?
I don’t remember anything about the first few months of my recovery. I do remember standing up for the first time 3 months after my crash. That was an important moment for me and helped me focus even more strongly on my recovery. Nothing has been easy during this process, and I realised early on that recovery was going to take some time. It’s all about making each day better that the last.
Can you tell us about your new sporting venture?
I wanted to get back into sports at a high level and tried a few things including spending some time in the velodrome trying cycling again. Cycling turned out to be scary. I started looking for something else and went to a paralympic sports come-and-try-day. It was here that I found rowing and as soon as I got on the rowing machine, I knew this was the next sports for me.
I’m now rowing 5 days a week and have made good progress. It’s challenging rowing with other people because we all have to row together in sync. The long-term goal is the Paralympics, I’m getting there but it is going to take some time. Regardless I use the same approach I used in my rehabilitation; one step at a time.
Why is it important to you to work alongside Connnectivity and educate the community on TBI?
Connectivity is an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people who have suffered a TBI (Truamatic Brain Injury). I know personally how important this I — without this kind of aid life can be very difficult indeed.
Before I had my accident, I had no idea about TBI and how it impacts people’s lives. I have realised that not only does TBI impact the person with the injury, but it also impacts family, friends and colleagues. All these people need support of some kind.
Over 200,000 people suffer from some form of brain injury every year in Australia. If I can help reduce this number and / or help make life better for people who have suffered TBI then that is a good thing.
Working alongside Connectivity provides a vehicle to use my experience and raise awareness about TBI, this will help in 2 main areas:
• Provide education on how brain injuries occur to enable people to identify risks and prevent injuries happening in the first place; and,
• Help people with TBI, their families and friends manage the new situation in a positive manner.
No-one asks to have a brain injury and the impact can be life changing. Regardless, there are many positive things that can happen after a brain injury and people can go on to lead successful lives. I sincerely believe that working with Connectivity as a role model, and being part of a support team for people to lean on in difficult times will be beneficial to people with TBI and their families. People need to know that things will get better, I can help with this. Some amazing people helped me through difficult times, and I want to pay this forward.