#TennerForTommyNoz
I send this message, with a hope that as a community of Kiama [ and wider Illawarra / South Coast ] we can help assist one of our own, as he fights against an unknown – with many obstacles in his immediate, mid and long-term.
Tom Norris was a perfectly healthy, genial 20yr old qualified carpenter – self employed following completion of an apprenticeship, finding his way into steady / consistent workflow in the local area. A well loved member of the Kiama Knights & Cavaliers sporting families, Tom was a current SNR League Coach for the Knights + the reigning Kiama Cavs cricketer of the year, from a well known and respected family within the local sporting confines
On June 3rd Tommy was admitted to Wollongong Hospital - Tom was suffering back pain and his physiotherapist instructed him to seek further testing on a strange symptom pool.
What was to follow was an emotional roller coaster, that no 20 year old should ride - Tom was prodded, probed & assessed by multiple specialists – with many theories applied to his condition, eventually tom was diagnosed with Inflammatory Myelopathy of the Spinal Cord.
Whilst this is a prognosis, Tom & family are still awaiting further results from laboratory sampling sent abroad – and have no insight into what caused, the prolonged effect or any subsequent risk factor for further damage or sustained impairments that he may hold with him today
Tom was paralysed.
Tom was in a wheelchair for 5 weeks.
He was suffering from large portions of his torso not responding to treatment or testing.
Tom needed to learn how to walk / stabilise himself as a means to trying to reduce the need for hospital care.
Tom is now in rehab. This is where Tom likely sits for the next 6-8 months, with no guarantees. Still awaiting further analysis from overseas test results
Tom has car repayments. Tom has bills. However >> Tom also has a future with no guarantee of being able to support himself within the field that he is trade qualified. There is no promises here.
Tommy is now faced with multiple physiotherapy sessions / week, with financial ramifications totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars directly, coupled with no means to support himself or continue with his “way of life” indirectly
I am seeking that we as a community can assist Tom in his fiscal endeavours- to allow this bright, young charismatic young man to focus on both his mental and physical well-being… I am asking each of my friends, family to donate “ A Tenner for Tommy”… in a bid to raising +
$ 25,000 for this gregarious boy – who lights up a room when he enters… who puts smiles on the faces of kids & men alike with his attitude towards life
$10 [ or more if you can help ] …. 2 coffees… 1 pint …. 1 slow horse….
This is all it takes to help a local kid, who has found himself in a position that no young man should – and will alleviate some pressure from a long & arduous road to recovery – with no guarantees, so he can concentrate on his physical and mental wellbeing.
Kathryn Elliott
