Brooke’s Epilepsy fund

Dear Friends,

My name is Brooke and I’m reaching out for help after a difficult and life-changing medical situation. On October 31st this year, I suffered a covid infection which led to an episode of status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition. Seizures that lasted over 10 minutes each time. As a result, I was hospitalised and required treatment. Since then, I have been prescribed four different medications daily, each with significant side effects, and I’ve had to make adjustments to my lifestyle, including no longer being able to drive. As some of you may know, I nearly lost my life to epilepsy and any hospitalisation for it is a significant traumatic reminder for me.

Losing my driver’s license has been incredibly tough. It’s not just about the loss of freedom and independence—it’s about the impact it has had on my ability to get to and from work. I live in a very rural area, and the nearest bus stop is a 10-minute drive away, or a two-hour walk. With no public transport options that are accessible, the only way I can make it to my shifts is by taxi, which costs me $50 each way. That’s $100 for each shift I work, taking up most of the money I earn.

I applied for a mobility allowance through Centrelink, but my application was unfortunately rejected. Despite my condition being severe enough to limit my mobility, they have determined that I don’t qualify for any transport support as I do not have a disability but a chronic illness. This has left me in a very difficult situation—especially as I am unable to always rely on family members to drive me, and there is no Uber service where I live. I am feeling the burden of asking those I love to drive me around already as I am aware of the cost of fuel and cost of living.

I am asking for your help to raise $1000, which will cover the taxi fares for 10 shifts, allowing me to continue working through the Christmas period. It’s a tough ask, but I am hoping that with your support, I can make it through these challenging times and keep my job.

The road to recovery is long, and while I am doing everything I can to adjust to these new circumstances, I am still struggling to cover the costs of getting to work. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference and help me keep my independence during this difficult time.

Thank you so much for considering helping me out. Your support means the world to me.