Bring Darcy Metcalf home

Darcy Metcalf is a friend of my son’s and a mate to so many more.

If you have a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy – or know one – then you’ll know what a special time this is in a young man's life.

They’re well on the way to getting their license and buying their first car. They’re thinking about life after school – what kind of career they’d like to have and the education and training they need to get there. Many are playing their final years of junior sport – and celebrating the wins and the losses with friends they started playing with back in primary school (when their uniforms were five times bigger than they were).

Darcy Metcalf was all those things and more when a horrific road accident nearly took his life, on his way to a football team photo session in July 2023.

A shy, unassuming kid, Darcy never caused his family any trouble. He was happy for his friends to take the spotlight – except on the footy field, when his competitive streak took over and passion for the game saw him become one of the loudest and fiercest competitors on the ground. He was good at anything he set out to do, and it frustrated his family that he didn’t have more confidence in his abilities.

What’s saddest about Darcy’s story is that his accident happened just as his family started to see Darcy blossom and come into his own, with conviction in himself and big dreams for his future.

Darcy spent four months in Royal Perth Hospital recovering from multiple broken bones and a catastrophic brain injury that will have a profound and lasting impact on his quality of life. In the early days, medical specialists told his family to prepare for the fact that Darcy may not make it out of ICU. They were told it was unlikely he’d ever be well enough to be on a hospital ward, let alone come home.

Against all odds, Darcy was eventually discharged from Royal Perth and is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation at Fiona Stanley Hospital. His recovery is slow but progressing. He’s reached the point where he’s desperate to be home with his family, and his medical team are working towards discharging him within the next eight weeks.

Darcy can’t speak as a result of his injuries and may never find his voice again. And with his family focused on giving him the care he needs each and every day, I’m privileged to be given the opportunity to be the voice for Darcy and his family, who have endured unimaginable heartache since the accident. They need our help to bring him home.

You see, Darcy’s home isn’t designed for the level of round-the-clock care he’ll need. He can’t safely make it down the narrow hallway to his bedroom, and the bathroom and toilet are too small to close the door and give him the privacy and dignity he deserves.

So, plans are underway to transform the garage into an independent living space for Darcy, complete with bathroom, small kitchenette and sleeping quarters. A carport needs to be constructed on the opposite side of the property, and the driveway realigned to accommodate Darcy’s family and team of carers. A mounted mobility scooter carrier rack will also need to be purchased, so Darcy has the freedom to leave the house for therapy sessions and outings with friends and family.

As you can imagine, the cost of renovating their home is significant. And while Darcy’s family is moving heaven and earth to make this possible, they really need our help to ease their financial stress.

I know there are so many kind-hearted people in our community who would love to contribute to building Darcy a space at home, where he can continue to recover in comfort and with dignity.

Darcy’s family are desperate to give him a life he’ll be happy with, so will you give generously today and help bring him home?

PS. Donating today isn’t all you can do. Let’s call on the generosity of people in our own networks to help bring Darcy home by SHARING this appeal

PPS. I’ve spoken to some very generous small business owners who are already digging deep to make a sizeable donation to bring Darcy home. If you have the capacity to give a little more today, I’d be so grateful.

Chailee Richards