Hi, my name is Brady, and I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your support for my big (little) brother, Cooper, who suffered a life-changing accident on the evening of September 17th.

Today, Cooper is in the Mackay Base hospital for urgent medical care after a terrible fall, and our family desperately needs your help to support his recovery and care.

Coop had just achieved a significant milestone: after his recent leg surgery, he began to bear weight on his leg again and walk using crutches- a testament to his determination and strength. Tragically, this progress was shattered when the winch cable on our family home’s wheelchair lift snapped, causing Cooper and his electric wheelchair to drop several meters to the concrete below. The impact was equivalent to nearly 1,800 kg crashing down on his body. This extreme level of force broke his spine in two places at the T12 and L1 vertebrae.

Doctors have told us that the rods in his back from a previous surgery likely saved his life, but the severity of these injuries has set him back from his progress and left him facing a long and challenging road to recovery.

Coop will most likely be flown to Brisbane to undergo surgery. It is currently unknown as to how long he will have to spend there but we are expecting it to be several weeks. 

Cooper is a kind-hearted, resilient 26-year-old who loves his sport and always brings a smile to everyone around him. Despite the immense challenges he’s faced throughout his life, having undergone more than 30 surgeries, his spirit remains unbroken, and we’re determined to help him through this setback.

Right now, Coop is preparing for complex surgeries to address his spinal injuries, followed by extensive rehabilitation. The costs of these surgeries, ongoing medical bills, and specialised recovery care are overwhelming. Additionally, Cooper cannot work during this time, and our parents will need to take time off work to provide him with the care and support he needs during this difficult time.

This loss of income adds significant financial strain to our family. Unfortunately, life doesn’t pause, and bills keep piling up no matter what we’re going through. Therefore, I am asking on behalf of Coop and my family for your help to cover surgery costs, medical bills, rehabilitation, support for our parents to take time off work to care for Coop, and any necessary home modifications to ensure his safety moving forward.

Our mum Dolly, being the incredibly selfless person she is, feels uneasy about accepting help through a GoFundMe as it’s just not in her nature to put herself first. But your support can ease the financial burden and help them keep going during this tough time.

Your donation, no matter how small, will make a massive difference in Cooper’s journey to recovery. Every contribution helps him reclaim the progress he was making and rebuild his life. If you are unable to donate, we would appreciate it if you could share this page with your friends and family to spread the word.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and kindness. Together, we can help Coop and our family through this difficult time and give him the chance to thrive again.

With thanks,

Brady Whitestyles