Red Cross volunteer Kim Martin defies brain injury to help Bendigo community

A series of life-threatening strokes stole this young mum’s ability to work, but she found a more rewarding way to contribute to her community – through volunteerism.

After a debilitating brain injury, Kim Martin found a safe space where she could contribute to her community again by volunteering for the Red Cross. Picture: Chloe Smith

Red Cross volunteer Kim Martin is a nominee in The Weekly Times Heart Awards, supported by the Powercor Country Festival. Heart celebrates the contributions of volunteers to rural communities. Nominate a great volunteer now, by using the form below.

For Bendigo mum Kim Martin, volunteering at her local Red Cross op shop has been a lifeline.

The 35-year-old suffered a brain injury that completely changed her life a decade ago.

After years of recovery, Kim wanted to start contributing to her community again and found the perfect opportunity to do so through the Red Cross.

“It is great for me because I want to get out in the workforce, but I couldn’t do what I wanted to do,” said Kim, who used to work in Melbourne’s gaming industry before her injury. “It gave me a way to help out in the community, but in a safe space.”

Kim was born with a rare brain condition, called an arteriovenous malformation, which remained undiagnosed until she was 25.

When her son, Kayden, was just nine months old, Kim woke up one day with a debilitating headache. It was the onset of the first of four strokes that would nearly claim her life.

After emergency surgery, it took nine months of intense rehab, and another seven years of hard work to regain some of the physical and mental abilities she lost.

“The brain injury just put a hold on everything,” Kim said. “I had to learn how to do everything again. I had to learn my speech, my eating, my drinking.

“I still have trouble walking.”

Her disabilities have not been a barrier to Kim volunteering at the Red Cross op shop for the past four years. She said the management team welcomed and supported her.

“It is just very accepting, which is what I needed,” Kim said. “All the staff are so friendly as well.”

Kim’s dedication to the role has led to an offer of casual employment. And while she said she didn’t need the money, the recognition that her work was valued was satisfying.

Kim is a nominee in The Weekly Times Heart Volunteer Awards.

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