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As many of you know, on Saturday, June 16, my husband Brett Underwood was in a serious accident while surfing at Point Leo. Enjoying a shore break, turned ugly, when he was thrown off his board and hit his head with great force on hard compacted sand. He felt the bones in his back ripple like domino’s and was temporarily left without the ability to move his arms or even yell out for help. Thankfully his best mate Sean, saw he was in trouble and with the help of two passers-by, got him to safety quickly. They rushed off to the local ER, where Brett was immediately put in a neck brace and attended to by Emergency Staff. After x-rays and a CT Scan it was confirmed that he had sustained a fracture in his neck and they were concerned about further damage down his back as well as spinal cord damage. He was rushed to The Alfred Hospital late in the afternoon for further tests.
Over the next 48 hours Brett had numerous x-rays, CT Scans and MRI’s. He remained in the brace and on his back this whole time, while we awaited confirmation of his injuries. On the Monday following it was confirmed that Brett had a C6 facet fracture and T4 and T6 fractures and he was advised that he would need to have a neck and back brace fitted that would likely remain in place for 2 to 3 months.
The brace was fitted that day and later that evening he was released from hospital to begin the long road to recovery at home, with the next few months being critical for his recovery.
At this point, Brett has been advised to take it easy and let the fractures heel. He’s been advised that any walking outside, needs to be accompanied by someone who can guide him and prevent him from having a fall. He’s not to lift anything heavier than 3kgs and cannot drive, or work any time soon. He is reminded by doctors that any knock while the fractures heal could be disastrous, however all going well during this recovery time, he has a positive outlook for a full recovery. It’s just a game of patience at the moment. The doctors keep reminding him and the family how very fortunate Brett is to be alive and without more complicated and lifelong injuries.
I am standing in as his caregiver and providing for all of his practical daily needs as required, as well as managing a busy household with two young kids and keeping up with my own work commitments. We have been overwhelmed with generosity and love of close friends & family who have helped with meals and ensured the kids are taken care of while we are at doctors and specialist appointments. Brett has also been lucky to have had visitors pop in regularly to help keep his spirits up.
As you all know, Brett is self-employed, and unfortunately we were not prepared financially for an event like this. Being reduced to a single income for the foreseeable future whilst still having to manage regular business expenses alone is putting a financial strain on us. Additional medical expenses have also brought with it unexpected costs. This Go Fund Me has been set up to help us during this challenging time, to ensure our families & business needs are met and to cover additional costs that will provide for Brett’s home care and the needs that arise during the recovery process.
Many of you have asked for the opportunity to give in this time, and on behalf of the entire Underwood family, we thank you for your willingness to help.
We have set our goal to cover us for the prospect of Brett having 12 weeks away from work, and moderate medical expenses. Should Brett’s recovery and return to work come earlier than this, as a family we have decided that we will pay it forward with any remaining funds.
Over the next 48 hours Brett had numerous x-rays, CT Scans and MRI’s. He remained in the brace and on his back this whole time, while we awaited confirmation of his injuries. On the Monday following it was confirmed that Brett had a C6 facet fracture and T4 and T6 fractures and he was advised that he would need to have a neck and back brace fitted that would likely remain in place for 2 to 3 months.
The brace was fitted that day and later that evening he was released from hospital to begin the long road to recovery at home, with the next few months being critical for his recovery.
At this point, Brett has been advised to take it easy and let the fractures heel. He’s been advised that any walking outside, needs to be accompanied by someone who can guide him and prevent him from having a fall. He’s not to lift anything heavier than 3kgs and cannot drive, or work any time soon. He is reminded by doctors that any knock while the fractures heal could be disastrous, however all going well during this recovery time, he has a positive outlook for a full recovery. It’s just a game of patience at the moment. The doctors keep reminding him and the family how very fortunate Brett is to be alive and without more complicated and lifelong injuries.
I am standing in as his caregiver and providing for all of his practical daily needs as required, as well as managing a busy household with two young kids and keeping up with my own work commitments. We have been overwhelmed with generosity and love of close friends & family who have helped with meals and ensured the kids are taken care of while we are at doctors and specialist appointments. Brett has also been lucky to have had visitors pop in regularly to help keep his spirits up.
As you all know, Brett is self-employed, and unfortunately we were not prepared financially for an event like this. Being reduced to a single income for the foreseeable future whilst still having to manage regular business expenses alone is putting a financial strain on us. Additional medical expenses have also brought with it unexpected costs. This Go Fund Me has been set up to help us during this challenging time, to ensure our families & business needs are met and to cover additional costs that will provide for Brett’s home care and the needs that arise during the recovery process.
Many of you have asked for the opportunity to give in this time, and on behalf of the entire Underwood family, we thank you for your willingness to help.
We have set our goal to cover us for the prospect of Brett having 12 weeks away from work, and moderate medical expenses. Should Brett’s recovery and return to work come earlier than this, as a family we have decided that we will pay it forward with any remaining funds.