She’s trying to learn to Dance in the rain…

She… is Bonnie. Bonnie is a mother of two boys Mason 12 and Kayden 11. Both busy and active, Mason has just started high school and Kayden has moved to a new school recently for Year 5.

Bonnie works in our Port Macquarie store, and joined our business back in October 2019. Bonnie is a breath of fresh air within our team and brings us so much joy and laughter. It’s now our turn to work with Bonnie in the hope to return joy to her life.

Bonnie needs our help. In late 2019 Bonnie was incorrectly diagnosed with a medical ailment (a virus) that affected her balance and hearing. Months later she developed a numb feeling in the face and was sent for an MRI. It was at this time that Bonnie was told she has a mass in her brain, and she would need to report to John Hunter.

Bonnie went to her apt at John Hunter on Wednesday 19th February, where she was told that she has a Brain Tumour; this mass is growing next to the nerves that control Hearing, Facial movements and Balance. This tumour needs to be removed within the next 30 days. Bonnie has since been booked in for her operation on Monday 16th March. During this time, Bonnie’s facial muscles have given way completely on one side, meaning her breathing/talking has become challenged. She’s no longer able to drive. Her balance has become worse; she now struggles to walk in a straight line

Due to this 6 hour operation, she will be in ICU for 24 hours, then a week’s recovery within John Hunter Hospital. An operation of this severity will mean Bonnie is unable to function as a mother or standard daily life duties such as working etc for 6 weeks – 6 months. Also to make this even more challenging for the family; the family has lost 3 close families members in the last 4 months. She’s had her home broken into while she and the boys were sleeping, with many of their valuable personal belongings being taken. She has separated from her long-term partner a week prior to this diagnosis…. And if this isn’t enough, Bonnie’s Mother is having spinal surgery 4-6 weeks after Bonnie’s surgery. 

It is our hope that we can lean on the support of those within the wider Optus team to support one of our own in her time of adversity. This support would mean the absolute world to Bonnie, her kids and family by offering financial assistance to help cover wages while she is off work and fund access to carers.

 

Thank you from Our Team to yours, in helping us make this time a little easier for our team mate    




Team Port Macquarie!