Art opens new avenues for Bunbury man’s brain injury rehab

Rehabilitation from a brain injury is a long process, but one Bunbury resident has found a new outlet to express himself and help spread awareness of his experiences.

In 2012, Lawson Smith’s life changed forever when he suffered a serious brain injury from a skateboarding accident.

Following several months in hospital, Mr Smith was considered stable for discharge. However, he was denied admission to the State Rehabilitation Service as he was non-responsive at the time, leaving aged care as the family’s only option. They instead decided to bring him home.

Eight years later, Mr Smith has defied the odds and recently launched a new business, Lawson Smith Art, where he can share his artwork and story with the world.

His mother, Sara Davies, said it was important to share her son’s story and artwork to promote brain injury and rehabilitation awareness.

“I don’t want people facing brain injuries to give up,” she said.

Lawson is on a great path. He’s still got something to say.

The painting Circle of Love, pictured, has a special significance for the family because of the story behind it.

“In 2014, Lawson’s friends made his birthday special and turned up with a kit full of paints and equipment,” Ms Davies said.

“When they gave him the paintbrush, he painted a circle for each of us in the room and we were blown away as a family.”

Prior to Mr Smith’s accident, he was at university studying marine biology and geology and was a passionate supporter of marine conservation, which is a consistent theme through his artwork.

The ocean was the number one thing in Lawson’s life before the accident.

“Art provides him with an extension of his expression.

“It links to his love of marine conservation and shows his colourful personality.”