The following is a letter written by Zac’s partner Dani:
On the morning of the first of September 2012 Zac and I went to the QBJJL competeition at the Gold Coast, it was a nice day for a comp, Zac was nervous as usual with an empty stomach to try and make weight.
On his first roll he attempted a Judo flip, landed on his neck, and didn’t move. When I got the mat he said ‘i’m paralysied’ . We have spent every day since at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
Zac spent the first two months in Intensive Care, after sustaining a Complete C4 & 5 spinal injury – he has no movement or feeling below his biceps. After loosing control of his diaphram as a result of the injury he was given a hole in his neck known as a Trachiostomy, attached to a ventillator and learnt how to breathe again. This also meant for the most part he wasn’t able to talk so we spent most of them lip reading. He was fed througha tube in his nose for those two months.
Zac has now been moved to the Spinal ward, the only one in the state, the Trachy has been removed and he is breathing independently. He is again eating, and now getting around in a hosptial electric chair. He has a long road ahead, and anticipates to be out of hosptial in February of 2012, a total of 6 months in hospital.
We are awaiting the birth of our first baby – Charlie anyday. Zac’s son Bailey is 7. One of our first trips out of the hopsital will be to the birth of our baby at the Marter. Zac is a Concretor, Dad and Gentlemen. He would do anything for anyone and loves his family more than anything else. He just wants to come home.
Doctors have told us not to expect anything more than what movement and feeling he has now and that anything more is a bonus. He is desperate to get his hands back and hold his kids. His goal is to be home by the 10th February, 2012 and to be able to look after baby at home. Despite what the doctors say, we believe he will walk again, sometime sooner rather than later. As much as Zac doens’t like to admit it, to do this we need alot of help financially and physically.
We have a long road ahead of us, but are ready for whatever else life throws at us, it really can’t throw much more.
Thankyou for taking the time to read our story. There are many many more stories, and people with worse injuries, some from as simple as jumping over a fence to get a tennis ball. Most people read or hear this kind of story, and go on eating their dinners. But, it happens to be very real, incredibly devestating and happens to everyday people. Zac’s life has become both a physicial and emotional battle very few people understand. He just wants to lead as independant life as possibile, so as not to burden anyone else. He’s just a normal guy in a very abnormal situation.
Dani Creffield
To give an idea on the amount of costs that Dani, Zac and their new born baby now face:
Ceiling Hoist – $7000each (x 2, one for the bedroom and gym)
Car – $40 000 (Wheelchair modifiable vechile – Hyandai IMAX/ Toyota Troop Carrier/ Toyota Rukus/ Kia Grand Carnival)
Car Lift – $15 000 (Conversion to make vechile wheelchair accessible)
Kitchen Conversion wheelchair accessible – $10 000 (This may be funded by the government, only if Zac gets more movement back)
Companion Bed – $2000 (The government will pay for Zac’s single bed only)
Upgrade standard wheelchair to standup capability- $2000
Outside Wheelchair – $10 000
_____________________________________
Walk on Gym – $4800 per month
approx $100hr ( using 2 x trainers to move zac) x 3 (hr rehabillitation sessions) x 4 (times a week) $1200 per week
$1200 x 4 = $4800 per month
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right….
Martin Luther
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