I’m a local boy from Bellingen, NSW and I was 19 when it happened. I was punched and fell hitting my head on the road which left me with permanent brain damage with the intellect of a young child. It happened in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2010 in Dorrigo. I spent 9 months in Sydney rehabilitation centre. I was transferred back to Coffs Harbour base hospital after the rehabilitation centre and was unable to go immediately home as the house needed modifications to cater for me. We’ve had fundraisers to start the modifications and, even though the house is far from complete, am at home for which I am truly grateful. Unfortunately there is still a huge amount to do and I feel very sad for my family who have to now provide full time care and try to make improvements for me.
When the assault happened my family thought that they had lost me. I clinically died twice that night. I was revived once at the scene and then again when the surgeons were operating on me to relieve the swelling on my brain.
I will never be the same again. I will always need 24 hour care and will never be able to do anything by myself. I will always need this help and continue to need it for the rest of my life. My family is always there to help me and have stood by me through it all. I am so thankful to them and to everybody that has helped me out since it happened. I am thankful to the people that have made donations. We still need them in order to provide for my special needs, medicines, building & equipment modifications, and ongoing care.
Our accountant set up a trust fund which will hopefully raise enough funds to care for me throughout my life. My family have a list of needs that I am hoping can be helped by this fund. If you can help in any way, I would be so grateful.