THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS WITH BRAIN INJURIES NEED HELP ALSO .......525 signatures on prev petition

IN THE CASE OF ACCIDENT VICTIMS WITH CATASTROPHIC INJURIES

AND ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

THE STRESS ON THE FAMILY AFFECTS THEIR HEALTH, WELLBEING, ABILITY TO EARN AN INCOME, WHERE THEY CAN LIVE, HOW THEY CAN SOCIALISE, PLUS SO MANY EXTRA COSTS TO THEM, ARE NOT EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT OR OFFERED ANY HELP

Under current AUSTRALIAN QLD Compulsory Third Party insurance rulings: Which we all pay for with our car registration - only the victim is compensated, nothing is taken into account of how it has affected their family

 After feed back and talking to others that have been or going through similar situation I came to the realisation, there are other ways of acquiring a Brain Injury besides a motor vehicle accident, so have decided to expand  the target to include Family Services, therefore this petition will also be going to The Federal Australian Government.

This is our story I am sure you or someone you know has had a similar or worse experience:

In February 2012 my husband was in an accident. He sustained catastrophic injuries to his face and spine. 

After incurring a multitude of operations, (too many to keep count), some lasting over 10 + hours, numerous complications, thousands of hours of rehabilitation; G is left with many physical deficits and acquired frontal lobe brain damage leaving him unable to work, and has difficulty talking and eating, and wary of socialising out of his comfort zone.

This was a man who consistently worked overtime and was always respected at work, and known for his ability to lift morale in a work place, if he wasn’t at work or doing jobs at home he was socialising with family and friends.

Post-Traumatic stress, depression, inability to be as physically active, and frontal lobe damage, which as well as other functions controls behaviour is like living in a nightmare you don’t get to wake up from.

 We have two daughters aged 17 and 19 at the time, the oldest was studying full time and earning approx. $20,000 a year part time, with no government supplements, both had worked casual jobs since legally able to. Our youngest daughter was finishing Grade 12, I home schooled her due to a congenital disorder that leaves her in constant pain fatigue and periodic brain fog, plus some other limitations. Regardless, she persisted and managed to get a casual job, through high school.

Prior to G's accident we had refinanced and renovated and extended the house they were born in, designed for multi generation living, so the girls could live with a young family at home to save a deposit for their own home .With his overtime, the girls contribution to bills, and I planned to work part time, the mortgage was covered.

There would be too much to read if I described all we have been through.

During this time, I was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Once medicated it often takes years before it is debilitating; I required Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery within 9 months so I was able to move and talk.

As stress levels increased, they were, advised to give up work and for them to relocate. We were forced to sell and decided to rent, in an area chosen to keep 'G' at his calmest and best suited enabling his 3 plus hours of rehabilitation exercises per day and no maintenance. . . During this time the girls became physically unwell my eldest developed an auto immune disease and is on chemotherapy medication and steroids, the younger one's congenital disorder deteriorated and is presently seeing specialist and having tests done.

It is not uncommon to have someone in hospital, two specialist and four allied health appointments a week. Some insurance has kept us going till now, yet the rest of the families’ health and living cost quadrupled.

Even if this petition doesn't get to help us, it might help the next family of a victim of a catastrophic accident. It could be you.

 Please sign and share with as many people as possible – it was a normal day that in a split second changed all our lives. Out of respect for our daughters I have not included our names, as they don't want others to know what they are going through. For added weight, or if you would like to bring up the issue in your own state, I have included a letter you could edit and send to your state member.

We are still waiting for pay outs – but the money, has to pay off loans from family and friends and has to cover all our futures not just his.

WE LOVE AND SUPPORT HIM WE DESERVE AND NEED COMPENSATION TOO

Thank you

Sandra T