Sam Pratt is 29, fearless and loves life. She's a competitive para swimmer recently named in the 2026/27 Australian Para Futures Squad - a remarkable achievement that reflects years of determination and fight. She has also had to rebuild her life more than once.

In 2022, Sam broke her foot playing basketball and was later diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. After two years of treatment and being unable to bear weight, she made the difficult decision to have a below-knee amputation.

Sam worked hard to rebuild. She learned to walk again, returned to competitive swimming, became National Champion in the 200m freestyle, and was selected for state and national swim squads.

In November 2025, during a tumble turn at the Australian Institute of Sport, Sam suddenly lost feeling and movement in her legs. She was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition where the brain struggles to send and receive signals from the body.

In March 2026, surgery for her spinal cord stimulator exacerbated her FND. Sam is currently in hospital and can no longer stand or walk, has seizures, tremors and difficulty speaking. Sam cannot safely return home. There are stairs to enter the house and the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.

Funds raised will support the urgent care Sam needs to get home and rebuild independence. These include home modifications, therapy, accessible transport and short-term accommodation if needed.

Sam is not done. She has a squad to get back to, a life she loves, and every reason to fight, She just needs a safe place to come home to first.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And if you can't - sharing this takes 10 seconds and genuinely changes everything.

We are hoping to raise $100,000*. This will not cover every cost Sam may face, but it will help with the most immediate barriers: getting home safely, accessing essential therapy, and giving Sam a fair chance to keep rebuilding.

We also welcome practical help. If you are a registered builder, occupational therapist, physio, speech pathologist, accessible transport provider, equipment supplier, or someone with experience in home modifications, your advice or support would make a real difference.

From Sam’s family and friends, thank you for helping us bring her home safely.

* Funds will be used for urgent disability access, therapy, transport and other costs that are not currently covered or are not available quickly enough through hospital or NDIS pathways. As quotes and needs change, Sam’s family and friends will post updates so supporters can see how funds are helping.