Our unique story is not often shared, we want to share this with you to remind others that amongst great tragedy and loss there is hope, you should never loose hope and you should never give up.
Sarah, was determined to still continue decided the best way to fix this undesirable predicament was to provide support services. Consequently in 2010 the
It was a desire to make an influential difference to the lives of others that ultimately drove my decision to further my work in the sector. This sense of calling was reinforced early in my studies at University when I first had the opportunity. One day, while studying at first year law at University and studying tort law, I uncovered an exclusion in the Accident Compensation Act followed by amounting evidence that showed a direct between a portion of those directly involved in road crashes will be impacted by some psychological trauma. Intrigued, I studied national trends followed by international trends of road crashes. Then when enough information surfaced I was confident there was enough evidence on the social and economic impact and cost of road crashes in New Zealand. I had a desire to find a way to be part of the solution, particularly to support those that were suffering, after a further year of research, sector engagement and working with Professor Neville Blampied, who was the Head of Psychology Department at the University of Canterbury the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust was formed in 2010.
In 2012 the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust where we are able to provide free counselling services amongst other services offerings.
Through my work I find it a tremendous privilege to hear the stories of others and to learn from their experiences. They have encouraged me so much and I have been touched by other survivors who shared their stories and some who suffered even more than I did. They are so brave and so strong. Determined to keep their stories alive, in 2016 it was a privilege to found New Zealand’s first Road Accident Remembrance Day.
“You learn to appreciate life, for example the smaller things, such as kind gestures or the natural ability to have empathy which allows me to have a deep sense of compassion for others” Sarah Dean, Founder