My name is Michaela, and I am writing to ask for your help on behalf of the wonderful Donna Emond. Donna is currently raising her nine-year-old disabled granddaughter Maddi who has very high needs due to a tragic accident when she was an infant. When Maddi was 16 months old a TV fell off a cupboard onto her head giving her permanent brain damage. She cannot walk, talk, sit or stand. She is fed through a tube in her stomach (called a PEG), she also receives all her medications via the PEG.

Sadly, Maddi and two of her sisters are unable to live with their parents. They all live with Donna. Maddi has been with Donna for nearly 2 years and Donna has been made her legal guardian until she is 18 years old. Maddi has thrived in Donna’s care, gaining some much-needed weight (14kg so far!) due to the lovingly prepared “minced moist” meals that Donna prepares for her.

Donna has completely rearranged her life so she can properly look after Maddi and her sisters. Among the many other sacrifices Donna has had to give up one of her jobs to ensure Maddi gets the proper care and attention she needs at home; she continues to work part time at a local primary school where she has been for 16 years.

Looking after Maddi is a huge job due to the severity of her disabilities and Donna is doing this all on her own. Donna adores her grandchildren and is dedicated to looking after them for the long-haul. At 57 years old Donna is faced with the daily struggle of lifting 34kg Maddi in and out of the car multiple times a day to get to and from appointments, school and (most importantly) out and about for life enriching activities.

Under Donna’s care Maddi is only going to grow and get heavier (this is a good thing!) and Donna needs to be able to make sure her body remains strong and healthy so she can continue to look after her three granddaughters. This is where you can help!

Donna needs a car that can accommodate a wheelchair. This will make everyday activities much easier for all involved and prevent any injuries to Donna and Maddi by eliminating the lifting element for transport. Unfortunately, the NDIS will not purchase a car for Maddi and will not fit out Donna’s current car due to its age. The biggest barrier facing Donna and Maddi in gaining a suitable car is the price – unfortunately most suitable second-hand vehicles are still in excess of $50,000.00 and located interstate.

Donna is the kind of person who offers help and never asks for anything in return. I have seen this first-hand when she worked at the nursing home my aunty was residing in. Donna would regularly purchase or make food for my aunty who hated the nursing home food. She would visit her on her days off and spend time with her brightening her day. These acts of kindness were (and are) so appreciated by my family. Donna is exactly the kind of person you would want to look after your loved one if they needed to be in care.

Let’s do what we can to make this amazing woman’s life a little bit easier. Any donation of any size will go towards getting an appropriate car to suit Maddi’s needs and any associated costs (fit-out for wheelchair, insurance, relocation of vehicle to Tasmania etc). Any remaining funds will go towards caring for Maddi and her siblings and helping ease the financial side of caring for these wonderful kids.