Help Mel C stay with her son Issac

Hi, our names are Megan and Mel. Our good friend recently had to drop everything to go to Townsville to be beside her oldest son Issac in hospital after he contracted Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain caused by the Murray Valley encephalitis virus. Murray Valley encephalitis can spread to humans through mosquito bites. There is no effective treatment or vaccine for MVE.

So far Issac has been in hospital for over two weeks. Issac needs a tracheotomy (surgical airway management) as he has been unable to breathe properly on his own. After one day of it being removed Issac developed a mucus plug which he was unable to bring up and led to his lung collapsing and needing the trach reinserted. Issac is needing speech therapy and has to learn how to swallow again. Issac is unable to speak properly and this is extremely frustrating for a young man who’s usually fit and healthy. His mental health is taking a toll.

Mel is lucky to be able to have her mum up with her in Townsville for emotional support, but watching your child, no matter what age, go through such a debilitating virus, drains you to no end.

Even with government help it’s still costing hundreds for accomodation for them both. Mel’s husband Richard has had to stay behind and work out of town and support the kids still at home and Mel has already used up her leave at work.

We are asking for any help towards the costs of accommodation so Mel and her mum can stay with Issac through this journey with just a small about of stress off her shoulders.