Open up your Hearts & Wallets for Trent & Kathy!
Donation protected
'Trent's story began in December 2017 when he retired on his 63rd birthday and we had grand plans for our life. Two years previously he had purchased his first new vehicle ever, his prized Isuzu D-Max which he spent many hours and lots of money on setting up for all adventures which were to come in our retirement. The first 4 months we spent lots of time camping, kayaking, attending Jet Sprint Boat races and just enjoying all the things we loved. After a few busy weeks leading up to Easter we had decided to stay home and have a quiet time in Berri and get a few gardening and household jobs out of the way as it was our intention to head north for our first big holiday in May.
In a last minute decision, we decided to head down to Port Elliott for Easter and catch up with Trent's sister and brother-in-law. On Easter Saturday our lives changed forever. Trent and Graham went off to do some boogie boarding, a passion Trent had pursued most of his life. Unfortunately Trent got dumped by a freak wave and his head crashed into the bottom of the sea. He sustained C3/4 and C4/5 disc herniation with spinal cord compression and tore a muscle off his shoulder. He was retrieved by helicopter to the RAH in critical condition and rushed into surgery for a spinal fusion. Trent spent over 5 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator, fighting pneumonia and in excruciating pain. He has been diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic with a 10% chance of regaining a small amount of function. He has no feeling below his chest, cannot walk and very limited hand control. He is in a powered wheelchair and reliant on people to do most of his daily activities.
He has been at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre now for almost 1 year. Our expenses are huge. I spend most of my time in Adelaide staying with my daughter and her family down south and travel each day for about 1.5 hours to be with Trent to help feed him and get him to his various therapy appointments within Hampstead. Fuel costs, vehicle expenses, parking and food are slowly eating into our savings.
Our biggest concern is the costs involved to get Trent back home to Berri. We are waiting for the NDIS to help us but have been told that could take a very long time. Hopefully they will help us with a ramp to get Trent into our home and modify our bathroom. We will also will need a lifter, shower chair and a hospital bed before Trent is able to be back in his home.
The main thing that we have to finance completely is a wheelchair accessible van so that Trent and I are able to travel back and forth to Adelaide for appointments. This will be a huge expense.
This devastating accident has changed our lives and future plans forever. We have never asked for anything before in our lives as we have always been independent and helped others wherever we could. Now we are both struggling and desperately need help.
If anyone reads our story and is able to help us in any way, we would really appreciate it. We are both so grateful to so many people who have already been kind and supportive to us. The smallest donation would be so much appreciated.
Thank you so much for reading our story. '
In a last minute decision, we decided to head down to Port Elliott for Easter and catch up with Trent's sister and brother-in-law. On Easter Saturday our lives changed forever. Trent and Graham went off to do some boogie boarding, a passion Trent had pursued most of his life. Unfortunately Trent got dumped by a freak wave and his head crashed into the bottom of the sea. He sustained C3/4 and C4/5 disc herniation with spinal cord compression and tore a muscle off his shoulder. He was retrieved by helicopter to the RAH in critical condition and rushed into surgery for a spinal fusion. Trent spent over 5 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator, fighting pneumonia and in excruciating pain. He has been diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic with a 10% chance of regaining a small amount of function. He has no feeling below his chest, cannot walk and very limited hand control. He is in a powered wheelchair and reliant on people to do most of his daily activities.
He has been at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre now for almost 1 year. Our expenses are huge. I spend most of my time in Adelaide staying with my daughter and her family down south and travel each day for about 1.5 hours to be with Trent to help feed him and get him to his various therapy appointments within Hampstead. Fuel costs, vehicle expenses, parking and food are slowly eating into our savings.
Our biggest concern is the costs involved to get Trent back home to Berri. We are waiting for the NDIS to help us but have been told that could take a very long time. Hopefully they will help us with a ramp to get Trent into our home and modify our bathroom. We will also will need a lifter, shower chair and a hospital bed before Trent is able to be back in his home.
The main thing that we have to finance completely is a wheelchair accessible van so that Trent and I are able to travel back and forth to Adelaide for appointments. This will be a huge expense.
This devastating accident has changed our lives and future plans forever. We have never asked for anything before in our lives as we have always been independent and helped others wherever we could. Now we are both struggling and desperately need help.
If anyone reads our story and is able to help us in any way, we would really appreciate it. We are both so grateful to so many people who have already been kind and supportive to us. The smallest donation would be so much appreciated.
Thank you so much for reading our story. '
Organizer and beneficiary
Greg Cram
Organizer
Katarapko SA
Kathy Ferrier
Beneficiary
