Fight for Fetta...
Donation protected
Our beloved Catherine Newman, also known as Morph and Fetta, has suffered a life changing injury. She has endured a "spinal cord stroke" which is quite rare (less than 3% occurrence). This happens when a blood clot gets lodged in part of the spinal cord and cuts the blood flow, so unfortunately that part of her spinal cord has now died. Due to this spinal cord damage, Cath has lost all feeling from her waist down, is in a wheelchair and has now started her rehab journey.
At this stage, the doctors have advised that her time in rehab will be at least 2 months but possibly longer. Once Cath is allowed to go home in a wheelchair, her rehabilitation will continue. Doctors have explained that 60% of patients that have suffered a spinal cord stroke tend to get some kind of improvement after rehab, but 40% don't have any improvement at all. Cath is being so strong and resilient and has the most positive mindset, she is so determined and will be working hard to give herself every chance of gaining some improvement.
Cath has had a long and successful lacrosse history as a goalkeeper across two states at club, national and international level which she is really proud of.
- Cath started playing at Glenelg Lacrosse Club in U12's back in the early 80's
- She was lucky enough to win multiple premierships with Glenelg State League through the late 90's and early 2000's
- Over the years, Cath made several junior state teams for South Australia, then progressed to senior state rep in the early 90's
- Cath was selected in her first Australian team in 1997 for the World Cup in Japan. Subsequently, made the 2001 team in England and in 2009 in Prague. She was selected as an alternate for the 2005 World Cup in U.S
- Cath relocated to Victoria in 2006 to play for Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club, winning a few premierships along the way.
- Finally retiring from playing in 2011 and moving interstate again, Cath found that on her return to Victoria, she wanted to continue her involvement with Newport. Cath has been coaching and also making the odd appearance as goalie when the team needed her.
This stroke will significantly impact both Cath and Dennis' (Catherine's husband) lives together moving forward and they are trying to come to terms with this. We are asking our Lacrosse community to donate funds to support Cath and Dennis with the financial burden that this will place on them. The NDIS will assist with getting their house wheelchair ready for when Cath can return home but some updates will be out of their scope. All money raised will go towards improvements to their home (eg. any wheelchair accessible improvements not made by NDIS, efficient heating and cooling, draught proofing the home). Medical bills will also be continuous so we are asking for your financial contributions to support Cath and Dennis and provide them some security and relief in this extremely difficult time.
We hope you can make a contribution to our dear friend who really needs our support more than ever at the moment.
Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club
President: Carly Conlan
Vice President: Kelly Hales
Director of Coaching: Stacey Morlang
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Hales
Organizer
Williamstown, VIC
Catherine Newman
Beneficiary