Please help Ben Chandler get home to Gregory Park

In March this year, Ben was finishing cattle work at their family property ‘Gregory Park’, Barcaldine when he was involved in an unforseeable motorbike accident that would change his, and his family; Jayde, Jack (12), Charlie (11), Wally (9) and Viv (6) lives forever. As a result of the accident, Ben sustained a traumatic brain injury. Beyond belief of the first responders and medics, he survived the long journey by car and subsequently plane to the Royal Brisbane Hospital ICU where he underwent many life saving surgeries. In the 8 months that have followed, Ben has endured an induced coma, countless surgeries, infections, setback after setback, physical therapy, speech therapy and is now faced with the unknown of what the future holds.

In a split second, not only did Ben’s life alter, but also that of his wife Jayde (one of the first responders to the accident) and their four children. It was apparent Ben would require intensive and ongoing medical treatment in Brisbane, so Jayde made the difficult decision to leave everything they’ve ever known - their home, their property, their livelihood, school, family, friends and their local support network – to relocate to Brisbane to support Ben in his recovery. Jayde and the kids have lived the last 8 months in an indeterminate state; a temporary home, temporary school, but all the while Jayde has been steadfast in advocating for Ben’s recovery driving to the RBH to be by Ben’s beside each and every day.

Despite what the medical professionals told them, Ben fights every single day to make even the smallest of improvements. He has now reached a point in his recovery where he can receive care within his home community of Barcaldine and the whole Chandler family can finally move home. Transitioning to home comes with a complex layer of challenges due to the rural and remote location. Jayde has jumped through every hoop laid out by Queensland Health but has one major hurdle to overcome – a modified vehicle for the transportation of Ben.

Many rural communities in Australia don’t have access to a modified vehicle, therefore the family will have to fund the purchase of one for themselves. Funding a $100,000 vehicle after being confined to a hospital for 8 months is near impossible. Until this transporation issue is resolved, Ben can’t move home and they will have to remain in Brisbane.

Jayde, Jack, Charlie, Wally and Viv need your help to get Ben home to ‘Gregory Park’. Please share this far and wide, and most importantly take the time to donate to support the purchase of a modified vehicle that will change this whole family’s life beyond measure.