Why having a place to call home gave David control after his car crash

David Todd and his sister Anna will be neighbours in Helensvale.  (Supplied: Todd family)

The slab is down, the pool is in and the framework is going up.

It's a proud moment for any new homeowner, but for David Todd it's an extra sweet milestone.

The 32-year-old is navigating life after suffering a traumatic brain injury 11 years ago.

"To see the progress it's making, it's taking form and I'm looking forward to it being built."

David was almost killed when he crashed his car into a telegraph pole while driving home from work in January 2010.

He spent 10 days in an induced coma in a Sydney hospital, then faced months of extensive rehabilitation before living with his parents in New South Wales.

David Todd spent months in hospital after the car crash. (Supplied: Todd family )

Living with a brain injury

An estimated 700,000 Australians are living with a brain injury.

Adam Schickerling from the brain injury organisation, Synapse, said three-quarters of those were over the age of 65, but two-thirds acquired their injury before the age of 25.

"All those things are choices that most of us can make, but the impact of brain injury or people with disability more broadly can mean that often those choices aren't available."

Retaining control

With support from his family, David decided to build in the Villawoods community in Helensvale on the Gold Coast after his sister Anna bought a block in the area.

"It's very accessible to what he needs, but also providing him with easy access to facilities so he can go to the shops, there's a pool, coffee shop, there's also the train station," she said.

David made sure a special media room with all the technology and gadgets he needs was part of the floor plan. He hopes it will be a safe haven he can retreat to at the end of the day.

"Hopefully he can branch out and do more things in the community as well," Anna said.

David Todd's parents cared for him after his crash, but now he's able to live alone.  (Supplied: Todd family)

David is able to live alone, with visits from support workers who help with grocery shopping, chores and attending appointments several times a week.

Mr Sckickerling says these supports are important.

"Examples like this are a great example to show the capacity of people to retain control over their own life, but still get the support they need."

David hopes to move in early next year.