Brainweek - Your Brain’s Best Buddy - Case Study

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YOUR BRAIN’S BEST BUDDY
CASE STUDY – JASON NAPIER

One of the best prescriptions for improving brain health may also be one of the simplest and most fun to follow – spending time with your mates.

Studies show friendship has a positive impact on your overall well-being and brain health with people who have close relationships and well-developed social networks tending to live happier, healthier and longer lives with a lower incidence of dementia and other age-related diseases.

Jason Napier, who you may remember from such campaigns as the ‘Make Jason Napier Famous’ Facebook group, is living proof about just how far a little of love from your pals can go. Seriously though, he nearly died.

Diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage as well as a medical condition called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in April, 2009, Jason was more than a little down on his luck. After hearing the shocking news, he turned to best mate Jo Ellmers and had many a discussion about where he was within himself, and what he still wanted to achieve. Fame.

“Without my knowledge, Jo had pondered what she could do from across the Tasman in order to lend me a helping hand and increase support where she could. This is when "The Make Jason Napier Famous Group" was born. A place where people could connect and understand what the situation was.”

And connect they did. Jason was overwhelmed by the messages, from such incredible people, from all over the globe.

“To have this opportunity to connect with all of these people, meant my days weren't filled with worry and despair. Instead of concentrating on the negatives of my brain issues, I was constantly uplifted and engaged in meaningful conversations with the people who became ‘fans’”

While that engagement didn’t have quite the AVM-fighting powers Jason was after, it was important in pulling him through, and he met some pretty special people as well.

“I have two touching experiences that stick out like a sore thumb! One, a fantastic woman named Emma, who took the time to create the most loving video collage. Emma is struggling with her health also and we would talk on a daily basis to bounce support and love. And number two was the incredible support from two beautiful ladies named Julie and Susan. When I arrived at Wellington hospital, I was near tears and trembling with fear of what was to come. I was handed the most sensational bunch of flowers with a card attached which read "from your two greatest fans."

Jason says the unconditional support of his partner Katie was indispensible throughout his journey, and in getting him out of this dark spot.

“Without her, my personal recovery wouldn’t be near as far along. The need to have a support network as close as possible is key.”

And you don’t have to need brain surgery to need those connections with social isolation tending to lead to poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy in all sexes.

We prosper when friendships are strong and close, but conversely, when we are lonely and lack friends, our health suffers.

For example, unmarried, divorced and widowed men tend to have a poorer life expectancy and health outcomes then single women. Scientists theorise this may be partly because women’s stronger friendship networks help buffer them from life’s setbacks.

The boys are catching up though, with an uplifting change among unmarried men. Researchers have found their health and life expectancy are improving, and speculated that it may be that single men today are developing strong friendship networks similar to women.

Whatever the reasons, friendship seems to have a profound on our lives. Making time to form and maintain friendships throughout our lives is an important pillar of brain health. Just ask Jason.

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