Help Franco Fight His Way Back to Life
My name is Eloise, and I’m writing this with a heart full of hope and a soul heavy with love, for my husband, Franco, the man who once lit up every room he walked into, and who now fights every day to reclaim his life.
Who Was Franco?
Franco is not just my husband, he’s a devoted father of our two beautiful children, Delano and Ava. He’s the kind of dad who danced in the kitchen, built forts in the living room, and never missed a bedtime story. He’s the man who kissed us goodbye every morning with a smile that made the day feel lighter.
Franco was a man full of passion, energy, and purpose. In his professional life, he thrived as a Senior Project Manager in construction, a career he truly loved. He had a deep passion for the industry and approached every project with dedication, always striving to do better and learn more. Franco wasn’t just a leader, he was a mentor, a problem solver, and a true people person. His infectious personality and boundless energy left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He had a gift for bringing people together and lifting their spirits, often with a joke or his unforgettable way of saying things.
But Franco was so much more than his career. He is a devoted dad, an incredible one. A loving husband, a cherished friend, and a beloved son. He wore each of these roles with pride, love, and unwavering dedication. He had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.
Always on the move, Franco could never sit still, he was a true “busy body.” Whether it was fixing something around the house, learning a new skill, or diving into one of his many outdoor passions, he did it all with enthusiasm. He loved the outdoors: hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, mountain biking, the list is endless. Nature was his playground, and his zest for life was contagious.
Franco is, and always will be, our hero. Even now, in the face of life’s unimaginable challenges, he continues to inspire us with his strength, his resilience, and his quiet courage. We miss him deeply. We miss the Franco we knew before all of this. But we hold onto his spirit, his laughter, his love and we carry him with us in all we do.
The Day Everything Changed
On June 16th, 2025, everything changed. That morning was ordinary, breakfast, backpacks and kisses goodbye. Franco stayed home to work, and I called him later to remind him about Ava’s gymnastics. He laughed, said he’d be there, and we hung up. It was the last time I heard his voice as the man I knew.
When we returned home, Franco was on the bathroom floor, unresponsive, seizing for hours. Paramedics fought to stabilize him. A scan revealed a ruptured subarachnoid brain aneurysm, the most severe kind. On a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 10, the doctors informed us to call family to come and say their final goodbye. They didn’t think he’d survive. But Franco did, by the grace of God, he made it through emergency brain surgery, and he’s still here, fighting, every day for us.
A Battle of Unimaginable Strength
Since that night, Franco has endured:
- 3 weeks in ICU, ventilated and motionless
- 8 major procedures, including a permanent brain shunt and eye surgery after being declared legally blind
- Transfers between neuro and rehab wards, where he began the slow, painful process of relearning how to move, speak, and live
- A devastating diagnosis: Franco will likely need 24/7 care for the rest of his life
- He can no longer drive, manage our finances, or return to work. His brain injury has left deep scars causing memory loss, impulsiveness, and emotional struggles
But through it all, Franco shows a strength that humbles us. Every day, he fights to come back to us.
Why We Need Your Help
Franco’s recovery will take years. He needs daily therapy, medical equipment, and specialized care to give him the best chance at healing.
As New Zealand citizens living in Australia, we don’t qualify for NDIS support. While hospital care has been covered, everything from here on incl. rehab, equipment, transport, and alternative therapies will all fall on us.
Here’s what your support will help cover:
Weekly Therapy
- Exercise Physiology: $150–$170 per session, initial assessment around $180-$200.
- Occupational Therapy: $180–$200/session
- Speach Therapists: $190-$220/Session
- Orthoptist: $290.99/Session
Medical Equipment
- Wheelchair: $360 (once-off)
- Pads: $40/pack (ongoing)
- Disposable Matres protectors: $6/pack (Ongoing)
Transport & Parking
- For hospital and therapy visits (ongoing)
Alternative Neurorehabilitation
- Red Light Therapy Machine: $1,794.98
- Oxygen Chamber Therapy: $5,390 total
- NeuroFit Brain Centre: $3,430 initial + $210/week for 12 weeks
These treatments will be giving Franco a fighting chance, to regain his strength, improve his memory and cognitive thinking and to be present with his children.
Faith, Hope, and Miracles
Doctors said Franco shouldn’t have survived. But he did. We believe that’s a miracle.
We believe God spared Franco for a reason. And we believe that with your help, your prayers, your love and your generosity that Franco will continue to heal.
From the depths of our hearts, thank you for reading Franco’s story.
Thank you for donating, for sharing, and for praying. Every act of kindness brings us closer to the day Franco can be himself again.
With love and gratitude,
Eloise, Delano, Ava & Franco
Organizer
Eloise Liebenberg
Organizer
Upper Coomera, QLD