Get Kris home

Kris and his family have gone through many challenges over the last few years regarding their health. Kris has been a type 1 diabetic since age 2 and was awarded the Kellion Victory Medal which is a rare as not many reach over 50 years with type 1 diabetes. He has managed this well throughout his life, however, in 2012 he began requiring extra medical attention and appointments for his diabetes. Over the next 2 years, his kidney function and pancreas deteriorated and he was registered on the organ donation list in 2014. After waiting 7 years and missing out on numerous organ donations, he was successfully double transplanted with a pancreas and kidney in November 2021. This was supposed to mean a new lease on life for Kris but 4 short weeks later they got the heartbreaking news that Kris had cancer in his original kidney. After an operation early in 2022, they were informed that the entire kidney was covered in cancer and it was stage 4. This news was devastating! After a long road, Kris is now in remission requiring 6 monthly check ups.

The story up until this point is more than most families have to face in a lifetime, however this is where the complexities for Kris are just beginning.

Later in 2022, Kris had all parathyroids removed in Sydney and complications led to 5 weeks in Westmead hospital. Over 2022-2024, Kris underwent cataract surgery in both eyes, got covid which triggered CMV and nearly killed him resulting in 7 weeks in hospital. He has had ballooning in his left leg and bypass in his left leg which resulted once again in complications and an extended stay.

In the last 6 months, Kris has undergone 3 ballooning procedures on his right leg. He has suffered diabetic nerve neuropathy and ulceration of the toe leading to it becoming necrotic and affecting other toes. Kris has spent most of his time in considerable pain despite the help from the chronic pain management team. His quality of life, mental health and independence has been greatly affected. Kris is a very active person and a passionate bowler for Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club. He is known to be working in the yard, helping out mates and enjoys being apart of his community, which is why this has hit him so hard.

On the 17th of October Kris had to have his lower right leg amputated. This was a last resort and another challenge for Kris and his family who were already under immense pressure.

Kris is unable to leave Westmead hospital during his recovery and rehab until his home is deemed amputee friendly. This means expensive modifications to the home need to be made before he will be released.

These include:

-stair lift

-ramps into and around the home

-bathroom renovation for wheelchair access

-potential widening of doorways

-modification to his car

and many items/equipment required for day to day life like wheelchair, shower aids etc. There is no government assistance as Kris is under 65 years old. NDIS cannot be applied for until rehab is complete and level of disability is established and they do not backdate funding. So this is all out of pocket.

His lovely wife Jo is currently travelling between Taree and Sydney as our local hospitals are unable to handle the complexities of Kris’ conditions. In an attempt to keep life normal for their son who is on the spectrum, Jo has carers who stay with him while she is in Sydney with Kris. This comes at a high cost, and along with the petrol, accomodation, and groceries for 2 locations, it is becoming unmanageable.

Jo and Kris are kind people who will help anyone in need whether it be a shoulder to cry on, a friendly ear, or even financial assistance when they were in a position to, they would always put their hand up. Now it’s our turn to return the favour and help bring Kris home to Taree West to his family and friends and one day, back to his beloved bowls. So please donate whatever you can, because even the smallest amount will make a world of difference!