Bionic Hand of Hope for Johaan Kaa
Image below 2010. Four years before losing my hands and feet.
I Needed to Find a Way to Live
This gofundme page in conjunction with the registered charity The Koha Shed Australia INC is trying to raise $45,000 to fund a bionic hand so I can do everyday things like hold a glass of water, and more important things like hold my families hand.
The reason I need a bionic hand is that in 2014, the terrible & heart-wrenching disease - meningococcal septicemia, robbed me of my hands and feet.
I lay on the hospital bed saying to myself, "I am now only half a man. How can I possibly provide for my family now?"
In the days following my amputations and with tears constantly streaming down my face, I begged the doctors to not revive me when I next went into cardiac arrest. I begged my wife not to let our 3 children see their father like this. I was truly broken. I looked for ways to end my life. I needed to find a way to live.
I lived through the darkness of depression, a negative self-image and feelings of helplessness.
My Wife - My Life
But my beautiful wife Pip believed in me. Her unconditional love and faith was strong and unrelenting. She gave me Strength, Courage and Hope.
My will to LIVE returned.
I made a promise to myself that despite now being a bilateral amputee, I would have 'Definitive Purpose'! My legacy would not be one of defeat and hopelessness. It would be one that my wife, my children and my community would be proud of. It would be a legacy of Love, Hope and Faith.
Our Children - Our Future
Over the past 2 years, I have been both humbled and honoured to contribute to Australian High Schools as a Youth Mentor. I use my personal story to teach our future leaders about overcoming adversity, being resilient, being honest and having strong moral principles.
Our youth give me hope and healing.
Motivational Talks
It warms my heart to be invited to Rotary, Lions, other community groups and organisations that work with youth as a voluntary motivational speaker.
There is a profound sense of self-worth being among others who serve their communities without reward or expectation of anything in return. We truly do find ourselves when we lose ourselves in the service of others.
Meningococcal Septicemia Explained ...
It is the most dangerous and deadly type of blood poisoning. There have been cases where someone has been alive and well at breakfast and dead by dinner.
Only 10% of people survive this debilitating disease.
For an authentic but confronting experience of what it is like having it, watch the video below. The audio and images are REAL. They are my immediate and personal thoughts immediately after having both my hands and feet amputated.
WARNING: CONFRONTING IMAGES & THOUGHTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LOSING MY LIMBS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP VIDEO AND SCROLL DOWN TO READ ABOUT MY JOURNEY.
Please Help Me Obtain A Bionic Hand
Despite the challenges I have overcome, I have longed held a dream to once again do the things we sometimes take for granted. Simple things like cutting a birthday cake for my children, holding my children's hands as I walk them to school and simply being able to take care of my personal hygiene needs without assistance whilst maintaining my dignity and enhancing my self-esteem.
As a bilateral amputee, the most simplest of everyday tasks as a husband and father - are the most challenging and emotionally draining.
Having a bionic hand would facilitate and enable myself to be more proactive and enable me to do more of this work without extra aid and would make it easier to continue my voluntary community work as a Youth Mentor and Motivational Speaker.
The universe has blessed me with an opportunity to fulfill this dream. I NEED YOUR HELP TO BRING IT TO FRUITION.
I make a personal plea to you to please help me raise the $AU45,000.00 required for a BIONIC HAND. There is nothing more I would love to do than to surprise my children by helping them open their presents on Christmas Day. YOU WOULD BE A MAGICAL PART OF THIS.
I understand it is a lot of money to ask of family, friends and strangers but I believe that many caring hearts can bring this dream to fruition.
Any donation however small would be gratefully and humbly appreciated.
If you are not in a position to donate, sharing my 'Campaign of Hope' with your own network would mean so much to me. Even leaving uplifting words of encouragement would mean so much to me.
All donations over $AU2.00 are tax deductible. Please see below how you can obtain your DGR Tax Receipt.
Blessings for being part of my journey.
THE KOHA SHED AUSTRALIA INC
My family and I are forever grateful to registered charity The Koha Shed Australia INC, its' members and its'network for supporting us these past four years.
The Koha Shed Australia INC is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ABN 702 739 00 301. Charity No: CH2688. TKSA is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations over $2 are Tax Deductible.
The Koha Shed Australia INC Banking Details:
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 064087
ACCT: 10145297
REF: JOHAANKAA
If you make a donation through this gofundme page, please email: [email redacted] with your name and donation that matches the gofundme and we will send you a tax receipt.
"We Rise By Lifting Others"
