Living in Supported Accomodation
Donation protected
Hi, let me introduce myself,
My name is Pauline Newman, I live in Adelaide South Australia. This is quite hard for me to do, I'm really nervous about asking for help financially. I'm a "young at heart" lady in my 40's & was born with severe disabilities that have now left me unable to work. I was born with a condition called Neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that can cause serious health problems.This incideous disease causes fibrous tumours to grow on nerves that affect the spine, eyes, bone growth & development, they can also grow on the eyes(Lisch Nodules). I had eye problems as a little girl, that required lots of surgeries, I ended up needing a corneal transplant when I was 12 yrs old that ultimately rejected & I lost most of my sight, about 6 years ago lisch nodules were found on my L eye & along the optic nerve, by now I was pretty much blind in my L eye & because of the nodules I had my eye removed, I now wear a prothsesis. I had a total of 30 eye surgeries. A few months ago one of my carers threw my prosthetic eye out by accident, the care agency won't take responsibility, So now I need to find another $500 for a new one. I was also born with another complication of NF, & that was a Kypher Lumbar Scoliosis, I had a double curve in my spine , it was also twisted. I was diagnosed with Juvenille Osteoarthritis when I was 10 yrs old. My father was an alcoholic & was very abusive, physically, emotionally & more, my mother walked out when my 2 brothers my sister & myself were young. As the eldest female child & 2nd eldest overall, I copped the brunt of the abuse. This has left me with bad depression & Borderline Personality Disorder. Anyway, to date I have had 6 major spinal surgeries, the last one done about 9 years ago saw just over 3/4 of my spine fused & 2 titanium rods that run the full length of my spine inserted with lots of plates, hooks & screws. This surgery failed & I am now paraplegic, requiring assistance for nearly everything, even going to the bathroom, sometimes it is very distressing & embarassing. Over the years my disabilities have worsened & new health issues have cropped up. After a serious fall 5 yrs ago from my wheelchair & a shoulder reconstruction & l eg & bladder surgery I had no option but to move into supported accomodation. I am waiting for a 2nd shoulder reconstitution, this time on my right shoulder, it has been incredibly hard emotionally & financially. I am on a Disability Pension & the rent here takes almost all of my pension, I'm on lots of medication that also takes about $90 a month, plus other therapies that I need, & not covered by Medicare,physio,podiatry (I get 5 visits for free, then after that it is $60 a visit) dental, I see psychologist for depression. The expenses keep mounting up. I still need to find money for part of my shopping plus personal hygeine products, travel (taxi fares, bus fares) Ambulance cover & insurances.Then there's phone & internet, which are important as they are a social connection & a way to cjat with others who are in my church fellowship. I am usually left with $50 to live off a fortnight, or $4 a day. I am really struggling atm, so I'm asking for assistance to make things a little easier, & a lot happier.
Thanks to those that have already given, you are wonderful..
Please would you consider helping me out, l would be so grateful.
GOD BLESS XXX
Organizer
Pauline Newman
Organizer
Goodwood, SA