Robbie Kerr Motorcycle Awareness
Donation protected
Our Story - Robbie & Gillian Kerr
(The very short version) by Gillian
I wanted to give people a little background to the last year or so of our lives together, as a lot of people are coming to the funeral who may not know.
I have had very poor health over my life due to Crohn’s Disease, Robbie has always been my rock and helped me through many difficult times. (Stories for another day)
The seven years prior to January 2017 had been the healthiest of my life, and I had been working full time, 12 hour shifts, in several fulfilling and challenging career paths.
On the 4th of January 2017 I started a new job as a trainee overburden truck driver at Caval Ridge Mine with Workpac. This had been a dream of ours for many years as we missed each other terribly while Robbie was away at his 7 on/7 off coal mine job. A month into this new job driving trucks Robbie had an accident at work getting out of a cable truck and tore the inside of his right knee apart. This meant he had to have full knee reconstruction surgery and was off work for over 3 months. The surgeon was dubious about performing the surgery due to Robbie’s age, but he worked hard at the Physio and had an excellent result. Although it did mean he had to wait several months before he could ride his beautiful blue 1948 Indian Chief that had only just finished being restored. I had a week off work so I could look after him for the first three weeks post surgery, then I was the one working away for around three months. Robbie came back to work and life was looking up again.
On July 18th 2017 we flew out to work and that night I became violently ill and was rushed by ambulance to Moranbah hospital. The Dr. there felt the only option was to pump me full of medication and get me on a plane back to Brisbane. Tragically a couple of months earlier my Gastroenterologist of 22 years had committed suicide so I was with a new specialist who didn’t know me very well. I was admitted to the Wesley Hospital and had many tests performed. They never really could find out what had gone wrong, but I was left with severe chronic pain in my lower left side along with bowel dysfunction and the inability to eat solid food. It was a very difficult year, Robbie having to constantly take me to Brisbane on his days off to various specialists, rehabilitation clinics etc. Although I committed 100% to all the therapies offered I always had chronic pain and couldn’t eat solid food.
In January of 2018 I went and saw my old pain management specialist over a different issue and Robbie asked him if he could offer us any help with the constant pain in my side. He put his finger straight on the problem and gave it a name, Ilioinguinal Nerve Entrapment. After that I had a nerve block which proved where the problem was, although my other specialists didn’t believe the diagnosis. I then had a Spinal Cord Stimulator trial, which was very successful. On the13th of July 2018 I had spinal cord surgery and received a permanent St Jude/Abbot Proclaim Spinal Cord Stimulator implant. STIM for short.
So for 5 days short of a year I had lived with constant pain and the inability to eat solid food and along the way lost the best part of 10 kilograms.
From the day of surgery our life started to turn around. I could eat again and enjoy it. Robbie was so happy he was virtually skipping around. Yes I had surgical pain, and I had a niggling pain in my left ribs, but after the year just gone it was like a miracle for us.
We went out for a lovely meal and and saw a comedy show, we had coffee and cake out several times a week. We started going to vintage motorcycle rallies again, even though I wasn’t allowed to ride yet. We were thinking I might be able to go back to work so we could be together again. Robbie had finally decided to start slowing down with work, he was going to try and do job share, he agreed to retire when he turned 60 in only a little over 3 years time. We planned another holiday in the USA, bought our flights over.
Then I had my 4 week review and they said I could go for short rides on my motorcycle. So we went to the Days Of Glory rally at Kilkivan. I had a couple of short practise rides on my 1929 Indian Scout. We were both very happy, I was in my 5th week post surgery and starting to feel stronger.
Then on Sunday the 12th of August 2018, Robbie and I set out on the short ride for the day. He was on his fabulous blue 1948 Indian Chief Roadmaster bike, I was on my 1929 Indian Scout. We stopped for morning tea at the prearranged picnic area, I was a bit late because I stalled my bike on a big hill. Robbie always my knight in shining armour helped me get going again. For me it was a bit long and I got tired and my back started to hurt, so I pulled up at the morning tea stop. Robbie put my bike in the trailer and I was going back to the campsite for lunch with some other ladies. Before we separated I asked Robbie for a kiss and a cuddle, he did his usual, if you must face, but then gave a me a lovely gentle hug and a kiss goodbye.
Half an hour later my life and love was needlessly killed. The rest is still too traumatic for me to talk about.
A friend came and stayed the night with me, I got violently ill from the stress and spent the night in Maryborough Hospital. Back home the next day and family and friends started arriving to help me organise the funeral. I somehow got thru that night. Day two and we met with the funeral director and set a date for the funeral, pending Robbie’s release by the coroner. That afternoon some very long term friends arrived, we hugged, I became distraught with grief.
Something went wrong, I had excruciating pain going up my spine and across the top of my head. I think I blacked out for a few seconds, they sat me outside, I tried to drink a glass of water. Then my world turned upside down again, I experienced the most severe pain in my head that I hope I never have to experience again. Because I had spinal cord surgery only weeks before, everybody assumed something had gone wrong with it. It wasn’t till I got to Hervey Bay Hospital late that night and had a CT scan they discovered a cerebral haemorrhage.
I had a subarachnoid aneurysm which had burst, lucky for me it clotted over enough, otherwise I would have died within two minutes. I was air evacuated to Royal Brisbane Hospital, within two hours of arriving I was in surgery. Luck was with me again as they were able to perform a coiling via angiogram so no hole in my head and a shorter post operative hospital stay. I was in ICU several days, and then on to the ward.
I was in pain, had terrible headaches, and had lost the love of my life. My family and friends and Robbie’s workmates helped me get through those terrible days. Last Friday the 24th of August 2018 I came home. My son William and his girlfriend Nikki are here helping me, and we are planning and organising Robbie’s funeral and wake, with the support of many dear family and friends.
Robbie’s company BMA have agreed to register a charity in his name to raise awareness of the vulnerability of motorcycle riders to driver interactions. They have already started raising money, and they have an employee programme where they match dollar for dollar to all donations made. I have asked for no flowers at Robbie’s funeral but for people to make donations to his new charity. Michael Tucker from the Independent Riders here on the Fraser Coast is organising collection on the day and it will be held by in trust until Robbie’s charity is fully set up. Today I am starting up this GoFund me page as people have been asking where they can donate online. You can always contact me directly to donate via Robert Kerr or Gillian Kerr Facebook page.
I will be part of a team who will raise awareness of how vulnerable motorcycle riders are to the powerful impacts of cars, educating drivers and young people about how to behave around motorcycles and my ultimate goal is to help people in need who have been injured through no fault of their own.
I am suffering headaches, pain and spasms in my legs, I have trouble bending down, sometimes trouble walking, and fatigue. I take medication for vasospasm every 4 hours, 24 hours a day, until the 4th of September. I have been told I will have these symptoms for 3 months, that I am very lucky and have no brain damage. I sometimes can’t find the right word and forget things, they tell me this is probably caused by grief more than brain damage. I am not allowed to drive for 6 months. I have many upcoming trips to Brisbane for MRI’s, another angiogram, various other tests, etc. etc. I will be living alone except for my two faithful dogs from the 10th of September. During the next few months I think I am going to need some help and support from my friends to get me through.
I feel that there is no life without Robbie.
But I know he would expect me to carry on and keep trying.
He always said I was tough, it looks like the challenge of my life is coming
(The very short version) by Gillian
I wanted to give people a little background to the last year or so of our lives together, as a lot of people are coming to the funeral who may not know.
I have had very poor health over my life due to Crohn’s Disease, Robbie has always been my rock and helped me through many difficult times. (Stories for another day)
The seven years prior to January 2017 had been the healthiest of my life, and I had been working full time, 12 hour shifts, in several fulfilling and challenging career paths.
On the 4th of January 2017 I started a new job as a trainee overburden truck driver at Caval Ridge Mine with Workpac. This had been a dream of ours for many years as we missed each other terribly while Robbie was away at his 7 on/7 off coal mine job. A month into this new job driving trucks Robbie had an accident at work getting out of a cable truck and tore the inside of his right knee apart. This meant he had to have full knee reconstruction surgery and was off work for over 3 months. The surgeon was dubious about performing the surgery due to Robbie’s age, but he worked hard at the Physio and had an excellent result. Although it did mean he had to wait several months before he could ride his beautiful blue 1948 Indian Chief that had only just finished being restored. I had a week off work so I could look after him for the first three weeks post surgery, then I was the one working away for around three months. Robbie came back to work and life was looking up again.
On July 18th 2017 we flew out to work and that night I became violently ill and was rushed by ambulance to Moranbah hospital. The Dr. there felt the only option was to pump me full of medication and get me on a plane back to Brisbane. Tragically a couple of months earlier my Gastroenterologist of 22 years had committed suicide so I was with a new specialist who didn’t know me very well. I was admitted to the Wesley Hospital and had many tests performed. They never really could find out what had gone wrong, but I was left with severe chronic pain in my lower left side along with bowel dysfunction and the inability to eat solid food. It was a very difficult year, Robbie having to constantly take me to Brisbane on his days off to various specialists, rehabilitation clinics etc. Although I committed 100% to all the therapies offered I always had chronic pain and couldn’t eat solid food.
In January of 2018 I went and saw my old pain management specialist over a different issue and Robbie asked him if he could offer us any help with the constant pain in my side. He put his finger straight on the problem and gave it a name, Ilioinguinal Nerve Entrapment. After that I had a nerve block which proved where the problem was, although my other specialists didn’t believe the diagnosis. I then had a Spinal Cord Stimulator trial, which was very successful. On the13th of July 2018 I had spinal cord surgery and received a permanent St Jude/Abbot Proclaim Spinal Cord Stimulator implant. STIM for short.
So for 5 days short of a year I had lived with constant pain and the inability to eat solid food and along the way lost the best part of 10 kilograms.
From the day of surgery our life started to turn around. I could eat again and enjoy it. Robbie was so happy he was virtually skipping around. Yes I had surgical pain, and I had a niggling pain in my left ribs, but after the year just gone it was like a miracle for us.
We went out for a lovely meal and and saw a comedy show, we had coffee and cake out several times a week. We started going to vintage motorcycle rallies again, even though I wasn’t allowed to ride yet. We were thinking I might be able to go back to work so we could be together again. Robbie had finally decided to start slowing down with work, he was going to try and do job share, he agreed to retire when he turned 60 in only a little over 3 years time. We planned another holiday in the USA, bought our flights over.
Then I had my 4 week review and they said I could go for short rides on my motorcycle. So we went to the Days Of Glory rally at Kilkivan. I had a couple of short practise rides on my 1929 Indian Scout. We were both very happy, I was in my 5th week post surgery and starting to feel stronger.
Then on Sunday the 12th of August 2018, Robbie and I set out on the short ride for the day. He was on his fabulous blue 1948 Indian Chief Roadmaster bike, I was on my 1929 Indian Scout. We stopped for morning tea at the prearranged picnic area, I was a bit late because I stalled my bike on a big hill. Robbie always my knight in shining armour helped me get going again. For me it was a bit long and I got tired and my back started to hurt, so I pulled up at the morning tea stop. Robbie put my bike in the trailer and I was going back to the campsite for lunch with some other ladies. Before we separated I asked Robbie for a kiss and a cuddle, he did his usual, if you must face, but then gave a me a lovely gentle hug and a kiss goodbye.
Half an hour later my life and love was needlessly killed. The rest is still too traumatic for me to talk about.
A friend came and stayed the night with me, I got violently ill from the stress and spent the night in Maryborough Hospital. Back home the next day and family and friends started arriving to help me organise the funeral. I somehow got thru that night. Day two and we met with the funeral director and set a date for the funeral, pending Robbie’s release by the coroner. That afternoon some very long term friends arrived, we hugged, I became distraught with grief.
Something went wrong, I had excruciating pain going up my spine and across the top of my head. I think I blacked out for a few seconds, they sat me outside, I tried to drink a glass of water. Then my world turned upside down again, I experienced the most severe pain in my head that I hope I never have to experience again. Because I had spinal cord surgery only weeks before, everybody assumed something had gone wrong with it. It wasn’t till I got to Hervey Bay Hospital late that night and had a CT scan they discovered a cerebral haemorrhage.
I had a subarachnoid aneurysm which had burst, lucky for me it clotted over enough, otherwise I would have died within two minutes. I was air evacuated to Royal Brisbane Hospital, within two hours of arriving I was in surgery. Luck was with me again as they were able to perform a coiling via angiogram so no hole in my head and a shorter post operative hospital stay. I was in ICU several days, and then on to the ward.
I was in pain, had terrible headaches, and had lost the love of my life. My family and friends and Robbie’s workmates helped me get through those terrible days. Last Friday the 24th of August 2018 I came home. My son William and his girlfriend Nikki are here helping me, and we are planning and organising Robbie’s funeral and wake, with the support of many dear family and friends.
Robbie’s company BMA have agreed to register a charity in his name to raise awareness of the vulnerability of motorcycle riders to driver interactions. They have already started raising money, and they have an employee programme where they match dollar for dollar to all donations made. I have asked for no flowers at Robbie’s funeral but for people to make donations to his new charity. Michael Tucker from the Independent Riders here on the Fraser Coast is organising collection on the day and it will be held by in trust until Robbie’s charity is fully set up. Today I am starting up this GoFund me page as people have been asking where they can donate online. You can always contact me directly to donate via Robert Kerr or Gillian Kerr Facebook page.
I will be part of a team who will raise awareness of how vulnerable motorcycle riders are to the powerful impacts of cars, educating drivers and young people about how to behave around motorcycles and my ultimate goal is to help people in need who have been injured through no fault of their own.
I am suffering headaches, pain and spasms in my legs, I have trouble bending down, sometimes trouble walking, and fatigue. I take medication for vasospasm every 4 hours, 24 hours a day, until the 4th of September. I have been told I will have these symptoms for 3 months, that I am very lucky and have no brain damage. I sometimes can’t find the right word and forget things, they tell me this is probably caused by grief more than brain damage. I am not allowed to drive for 6 months. I have many upcoming trips to Brisbane for MRI’s, another angiogram, various other tests, etc. etc. I will be living alone except for my two faithful dogs from the 10th of September. During the next few months I think I am going to need some help and support from my friends to get me through.
I feel that there is no life without Robbie.
But I know he would expect me to carry on and keep trying.
He always said I was tough, it looks like the challenge of my life is coming
Fundraising team (1)
Gillian Kerr
Organizer
Mount Urah QLD
Loraine Britton
Team member
