Gretta's Leg Amputation Journey

Dear friends and kindhearted individuals,

In May 2024, my mother Gretta Lehane needed to have her leg amputated unexpectedly in the Mercy Hospital due to a complex and rare blood condition that was diagnosed. This condition affects the blood and circulation. A few weeks later, further post-operative complications meant that her team of doctors and surgeons decided a second amputation was necessary, and that her entire leg would have to be amputated, in order to save her life.

As you can imagine, this has been life altering. This sudden and devastating change has turned her world upside down and we now face the urgent reality that her home needs to be adapted to suit her new reality. This will ensure that she can live comfortably, independently and in a safe way. Gretta has a long recovery ahead as she learns how to physically adapt and overcome the loss of a vital limb, as well as addressing the mental toll that the last few months has taken. The home in which she has lived in for over 30 years is now filled with barriers, and simple tasks such as filling and reaching the kettle are a struggle.

Modifications are now required to improve her quality of life, such as: widening doorways, installing ramps, upgrading bathrooms to be wheelchair accessible, lowering her kitchen and other fittings, installing a stair lift, and many other adaptations that are vital. This unexpected amputation has also taken away the possibility of work and future earning for her.

Anyone who knows Gretta knows that she is extremely kind hearted and is generous to a fault. We now hope, through the generosity of other kind-hearted people, that we can fundraise enough to help adapt her home and regain some of her independence. She is determined to build herself up and has already come so far through sheer determination. Gretta will need specialised personal training as well as intensive rehabilitation into the future to reach her goal of being independent once again. Following rehabilitation we hope that she will be able to get a prosthetic leg, which requires her to be fit and in full health.

Any donations made will go directly to Gretta for improving her quality of life, household adaptations and safeguards for independent living for her future. We hugely appreciate all donations and want to thank everyone for the incredible support received so far as we navigate this difficult road. Thank you.