Help for the Springer Family

My cousin Kerry is the kindest and most caring woman I have ever known. She has had so much tragedy in her life, but she can still wake up and write down 5 things she is grateful for everyday.

About 30 years ago Kerry, her husband Reon and their 5 kids lived in Longreach, running a successful carpet business. One night she woke up to the family home on fire, their 3 year old daughter Cristi ended up with approximately 60% of burns to herself and Kerry about 40%. The family survived but lost all of their possessions including their car. While they were in Brisbane getting treatment in the burns unit, unbeknown to them their business manager was embezzling money from the business, so by the time they came home after many months they also lost the business.

Kerry refused let it to take her down, she was grateful her little girl survived but not without scars and years of treatment. The family then moved to Mackay to try and rebuild their life. In 1999, Kerry was diagnosed with a brain tumour and once again their life was turned upside down. As she underwent brain surgery and radium, but her positive attitude inspired all that knew her, she recovered, but did lose slight feeling on her left side.

2 years ago, on the 5th of August 2017, Kerry and the family received the worst news any parent could receive, their beloved youngest son Daniel, was involved in a mining accident at Goneyella mine and passed away the following day. Daniel was only 30 years old, and left behind his wife and young son who was only 11 months old. This tragedy truely destroyed Kerry, no parent should ever have to go thru the loss of a child.

I remember talking to her one day and she told me as hard as the pain was to lose him, she was grateful she got to see him get married and become a Dad. I thought to myself you are truly the most inspirational woman I have ever known, then 2 months to the day after Dan dies, her brother-in-law John was killed in a head on motorbike accident, another tragic blow to the family. The funerals turned out to be 2 months to the day apart.

Last Thursday we got the call to say Kerry had a stroke, but it turned out she had an abscess on her ear bone which disintegrated the bone behind her ear and caused a infection to go to her brain, she underwent a 5 hour surgery last Friday night and has more surgeries ahead of her and a long road to recovery. Reon her husband is by her side everyday, they are hardworking humble people and Reon is a subbie, so no work means no pay.

I feel this family need some urgent help, so Reon can stay by her side through the coming months, they also have to pack up their highest rental home and move to a lowest home as Kerry won’t be able to live in a highest home anymore. Kerry and Reon would never ask for help but I have spoken to their family and they gave me the ok to start a go fund me as any financial help at this stage will help them. I love my cousin so much and if I could be half the kind person she is I would be happy, she is my hero and I inspire to be like her everyday.

Anything you can give to help this beautiful family will be much appreciated.