Give Kerrilie two legs for a full and caring life

Can you imagine going for a simple walk along the beach and ending up having your leg amputated above the knee?

That’s just what happened to my friend Kerrilie. She slipped on a rock while walking at her favourite beach, smashed her knee, and ripped apart the artery that runs down the back of your leg. After multiple surgeries the doctors gave her two options- to try and repair the obliterated knee but essentially have a dead leg that wouldn’t bend properly, with no feeling in the foot or balance. It meant that walking, driving and many other things we take for granted every day wouldn’t be possible. Or have an above the knee amputation. It was a shocking and devastating choice.

If you know Kerrilie, you’ll know that 11 years ago her partner Meg also suffered a catastrophic and life altering accident which left her with a severe brain injury and significant physical limitations. Kerrilie gave over her life to caring for Meg and helping her recover as best she could. In additional to this enormous responsibility, they welcomed a baby girl into their family three years ago.

Kerrilie has given up her career, financial security and much of her independence to raise their daughter and provide 24h/day care for Meg. She did this gladly and with love. Up until the life changing walk on the beach, this was her world.

So the idea of a bung leg that wouldn’t allow her to drive Meg to appointments or run around after their daughter was unthinkable. To her, the only way forward was an amputation and prosthetic leg so she could get back in her feet again (!) and look after the people she loves. And that’s the path she chose.

Nearly three months later, Kerrilie is still in hospital. She has faced the shocking reality of an above-the-knee amputation, cried all the tears, and battled an antibiotic-resistant wound infection. Despite this, she is working hard to heal and strengthen her body. Her physiotherapist and occupational therapist are thrilled with her progress from bed to transferring to a wheelchair, as well as her commitment to her daily exercise therapy. Hopefully physical rehabilitation is just around the corner.

All of this has one end goal- to get fitted with an excellent prosthetic leg and return home to her family and friends who have, in so many practical and loving ways, held her up during this horrendous time.

Kerrilie wants to live a full and happy life, to return to caring for Meg and raising their daughter. But this is expensive. She’s going to need a wheelchair until she has a working prosthetic she can use, help with Joni until she can resume full parenting responsibilities, a prosthetic leg or two (traditional or osteo-integrated), car adaptations to allow her to drive, home and health support as she adapts to new ways of living, and a host of other costs that can’t even be identified yet. Into the future we hope that at least some of the ongoing costs can be covered by the NDIS, but that’s a long and uncertain road and Kerrilie is going to need help much sooner. In total, we’re hoping to raise $30,000.

Can you please help to really get Kerrilie back on her feet for a loving and caring life? Thanks in advance for all your support!