'A Dollar or Two for Pete & Crew'
Donation protected
The Back Ground
Like any husband and father – Pieter has always wanted to provide comfortably for his family and ensure their needs are met – that’s just what blokes do – to make sure his family never goes without. But all that took a downward turn starting 3 years ago.
Pieter started experiencing severe back and leg pain/difficulties due to disc-compression in his lumbar and sacral spine – a mix of old age and wear & tear from years of the demanding rigours of being a truck driver. After 3 lots of bi-lateral nerve root injections, Pieter’s ability to work went from his usual 12hr shifts/6 days a week down to 8hr shifts/5 days per week until in February 2017 Pieter had no choice but to resign from full-time employment (having used all his leave entitlements) and seek medical intervention with the hope to return to work to provide for his family. But this left a massive financial hole in their family budget which included covering huge ongoing medical costs for their son born with multiple high-care needs.
Pieter was unable to receive any Government assistance as he had ‘resigned from gainful employment’ and therefore did not qualify for any welfare payment
In March 2017, Pieter went in for the first of 4 back operations in 4 months. Unfortunately, the fourth procedure was not a success and found himself in worse condition than before, with a whole new list of complications including loss of sensation in his left buttock, leg and foot.
In addition to paying almost $30,000 in medical costs for their 2nd son’s treatment since his birth in 2015, Pieter and Samantha received news an application to use a Loan Protection Insurance they had purchased for their mortgage loan was rejected
The Plan
Pieter was referred to a Spine Doctor specialising in ‘cutting-edge pain relief technology’ implanting Spinal Cord Stimulators in his patients thus allowing them to live an almost pain-free and relatively normal life. Pieter has already trialed one and has been approved to trial a 2nd device which will be inserted on Monday 13th August, before it is planned to have one of these devices permanently implanted in his spine on the 8th September 2018.
Whilst this is fantastic news for their family, this technology/treatment comes at a cost. Having already spent several thousand dollars on Doctors and specialists, medications and hospital stays over the past 15 months, the permanent implant device out of pocket cost is $5,000 which is money this family just cannot afford at this time.
The Goal
To have Pieter return to work, contribute in his community and once again provide for his family. Without this surgery this cannot happen, which is why we are asking people like yourself who are willing to spare a few dollars to help a mate and his family get back on their feet.
Please know that Pieter understands fully the enormity of such a request and would greatly appreciate any donation to help fund this ‘life-changing’ surgery. Thank you so much for your support!
Like any husband and father – Pieter has always wanted to provide comfortably for his family and ensure their needs are met – that’s just what blokes do – to make sure his family never goes without. But all that took a downward turn starting 3 years ago.
Pieter started experiencing severe back and leg pain/difficulties due to disc-compression in his lumbar and sacral spine – a mix of old age and wear & tear from years of the demanding rigours of being a truck driver. After 3 lots of bi-lateral nerve root injections, Pieter’s ability to work went from his usual 12hr shifts/6 days a week down to 8hr shifts/5 days per week until in February 2017 Pieter had no choice but to resign from full-time employment (having used all his leave entitlements) and seek medical intervention with the hope to return to work to provide for his family. But this left a massive financial hole in their family budget which included covering huge ongoing medical costs for their son born with multiple high-care needs.
Pieter was unable to receive any Government assistance as he had ‘resigned from gainful employment’ and therefore did not qualify for any welfare payment
In March 2017, Pieter went in for the first of 4 back operations in 4 months. Unfortunately, the fourth procedure was not a success and found himself in worse condition than before, with a whole new list of complications including loss of sensation in his left buttock, leg and foot.
In addition to paying almost $30,000 in medical costs for their 2nd son’s treatment since his birth in 2015, Pieter and Samantha received news an application to use a Loan Protection Insurance they had purchased for their mortgage loan was rejected
The Plan
Pieter was referred to a Spine Doctor specialising in ‘cutting-edge pain relief technology’ implanting Spinal Cord Stimulators in his patients thus allowing them to live an almost pain-free and relatively normal life. Pieter has already trialed one and has been approved to trial a 2nd device which will be inserted on Monday 13th August, before it is planned to have one of these devices permanently implanted in his spine on the 8th September 2018.
Whilst this is fantastic news for their family, this technology/treatment comes at a cost. Having already spent several thousand dollars on Doctors and specialists, medications and hospital stays over the past 15 months, the permanent implant device out of pocket cost is $5,000 which is money this family just cannot afford at this time.
The Goal
To have Pieter return to work, contribute in his community and once again provide for his family. Without this surgery this cannot happen, which is why we are asking people like yourself who are willing to spare a few dollars to help a mate and his family get back on their feet.
Please know that Pieter understands fully the enormity of such a request and would greatly appreciate any donation to help fund this ‘life-changing’ surgery. Thank you so much for your support!
Co-organizers (2)
Vanessa Roache Nieuwenhuizen
Organizer
White Rock, QLD
Samantha Nieuwenhuizen
Co-organizer