Hi everyone,

My name is Tania.

I’m sharing this on behalf of one of the strongest, most selfless families I know because if you know them, you’ll know they would never ask for help themselves so I’m doing so.

As i write this it is day 32 of this nightmare…

What was meant to be a family holiday in Bali turned into something none of us could have imagined.

Drew became critically unwell very quickly, and what followed has been weeks of hospitals, emergency situations, and moments where we truly didn’t know if he was going to make it.

Drew was diagnosed with typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever is a serious, potentially fatal systemic infection caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria, usually transmitted via contaminated food or water. Symptoms include high, sustained fever, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation. Treated with antibiotics, it typically lasts a few weeks, though severe cases can cause intestinal perforation.

This then led to meningitis.

Meningitis is a serious inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often caused by bacterial or viral infections. Key symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. It is a medical emergency that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and requires immediate treatment, typically with antibiotics for bacterial cases or antiviral/supportive care for viral cases.

Together, they are a combination that left him fighting for his life. There were times his family were told to prepare for the worst… and somehow, he kept fighting.

Drew had an Australian dr fly to Bali to manage his care there & since has been medically brought home to Australia, but unfortunately, the battle isn’t over.

While the infections have been treated, he is now living with ongoing neurological symptoms, memory loss, severe headaches, extreme fatigue, and changes to his motor skills. Recovery is expected to be very long, and very uncertain.

Through all of this, Ash has not left his side.

She has carried the weight of advocating for him, supporting him, and holding their family together through the most traumatic time of their lives and their 4 children’s lives.

Right now, Drew is unable to work, and Ash has had to step away from work without pay to care for him full time.

Overnight, they have gone from two incomes to none, all while navigating ongoing medical needs, travel, and day-to-day life.

If you know them, you know they are the first to show up for others. The kind of people who give, support, and never ask for anything in return.

So this time, I’m asking for them because we know they won’t.

As it stands, they are currently $15,000 out of pocket and while they were insured, their insurance is only paying them a reimbursement of $2300. With no income from work, you can imagine how stressful this time is for Drew & Ash, and how uncertain the future is.

So I’m asking, if you’re in a position to help in any way whether that’s donating or simply sharing, it would mean more than words could ever express. Every little bit will help ease the pressure so they can focus on what truly matters… Drew’s recovery and their family.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for supporting such an incredible family through the hardest chapter of their lives