How a split second changed Eddy’s life

Eddy and his wife, Rhianne, have been married for 20 years.

They built a life together – a life they say has now fallen to pieces.

After a Christmas work function in December 2022, the couple were waiting for a taxi in Traralgon, two hours east of Melbourne, when Eddy was coward punched by a stranger after a brief interaction.

Eddy’s skull was fractured in multiple places and he was left with permanent brain damage.

The attack was so sickening it left witnesses in shock.

Eddy was rushed to hospital and underwent brain surgery.

After months of rehabilitation, Eddy had to adjust to a new normal, living with an acquired brain injury.

His memory is also patchy, with large periods of his life missing.

“I have no idea what day it is, what year it is,” he said.

“Every day I do research, and research is my only way of learning things.”

Eddy’s attacker was arrested and charged with recklessly causing serious injury.

This year, a magistrate put him behind bars.

“He got sentenced to six months in April this year,” Rhianne said.

“He’s due to get out in October.”

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