Jeff's life changing surgery
Donation protected
Hi, I am Jeff's wife and carer, Rachael. I am trying to raise money to pay for Jeff to have a life changing surgery - osteointegration which "involves an implant being inserted into an amputee’s femur or tibia which, when integrated with the bone allows for a simple, quick, safe connection between the stump and the lower prosthesis." (http://www.osseointegrationaustralia.com.au/)
Since his motorbike accident in 2007, Jeff's life, and the life of our family have been severely affected by his left below knee amputation. The only option he has had available to him as an amputee is a socket prosthesis.
The socket has seriously limited his mobility, added to his chronic back pain, caused pain and issues with the stump (including severe nerve reactions, phantom pain, blisters and ulcers, caused by the socket rubbing against his skin which leaves the stump open to infection.) All of these can result in an inability to use his prosthetic and leave him wheelchair bound until it heals.
Using a socket prosthesis negatively impacts the way he interacts with our boys and greatly affects day to day life for him and the family.
This surgery will allow him to never have to deal with a socket prosthesis any more, which means he will be able to do more with the boys and have a vastly improved quality of life. For example:
- He will no longer have to deal with all the medical issues (like blisters, welts and ulcers) that come with wearing a socket prosthesis.
- It will improve his range of movement, so he will be able to play with the boys, sit, squat, walk, exercise and ride more comfortably.
- He will be able to wear a prosthetic in the water and even stand in the shower and shower independently! All without the socket.
- His chronic back pain will hopefully be greatly diminished.
- This type of prosthesis will allow Jeff to experience the things we take for granted, like feeling the surface he is walking on, climbing stairs and walking on an incline.
- He will have a greater degree of independence which will allow him to be more involved in family life and help him regain the quality of life he lost.
We need to raise $45,000 to cover the out of pocket expenses required to have the surgery so he can go ahead with the scheduled surgery date in early May.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide. Every little bit helps!
Since his motorbike accident in 2007, Jeff's life, and the life of our family have been severely affected by his left below knee amputation. The only option he has had available to him as an amputee is a socket prosthesis.
The socket has seriously limited his mobility, added to his chronic back pain, caused pain and issues with the stump (including severe nerve reactions, phantom pain, blisters and ulcers, caused by the socket rubbing against his skin which leaves the stump open to infection.) All of these can result in an inability to use his prosthetic and leave him wheelchair bound until it heals.
Using a socket prosthesis negatively impacts the way he interacts with our boys and greatly affects day to day life for him and the family.
This surgery will allow him to never have to deal with a socket prosthesis any more, which means he will be able to do more with the boys and have a vastly improved quality of life. For example:
- He will no longer have to deal with all the medical issues (like blisters, welts and ulcers) that come with wearing a socket prosthesis.
- It will improve his range of movement, so he will be able to play with the boys, sit, squat, walk, exercise and ride more comfortably.
- He will be able to wear a prosthetic in the water and even stand in the shower and shower independently! All without the socket.
- His chronic back pain will hopefully be greatly diminished.
- This type of prosthesis will allow Jeff to experience the things we take for granted, like feeling the surface he is walking on, climbing stairs and walking on an incline.
- He will have a greater degree of independence which will allow him to be more involved in family life and help him regain the quality of life he lost.
We need to raise $45,000 to cover the out of pocket expenses required to have the surgery so he can go ahead with the scheduled surgery date in early May.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide. Every little bit helps!
Organizer
Rachael Smith
Organizer
New South, Wales