Help Get Ian Home

Product Description

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia

Supporters

Many of you already know but for others this will come as a shock – in February Ian had a very serious accident at home. He required immediate neurosurgery and spent many days in ICU. Thankfully, Ian did not suffer any brain damage in the fall. After an initial total paralysis from his neck down, he now has limited but increasing movement in his arms and legs. He is, as expected, absolutely tenacious in his approach to rehabilitation in the Spinal Cord Rehab unit at Prince of Wales Hospital.

Since February, Ian has suffered severe pain and spasms as well as a fortnight in isolation in COVID-19. He has also had multiple horrible medical complications that are common in severe spinal injuries. In spite of this, he is far exceeding the expectations of his medical team for his mobility recovery. He is still his wonderfully (cringe-worthy) humour-filled self, his puns have continued full pelt and he would be the first to say that he has made great strides in his recovery (groan). We don’t know what his final recovery will look like but if courage and resilience are keys, he will continue to exceed all expectations.

Ian and Rohan have been deeply moved by the messages and generosity they have received so far. Your responses and visits have meant the world to them. It’s clear to them that there is a community around them that love and support them. We now need your help to get Ian home.

As Ian acquired his disability after he turned 65, he is not eligible for funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and he will only receive limited funding from My Aged Care, a system just not designed to support quadriplegics. The highest home care funding from My Aged Care will cover less than two hours of care per day. There is no specific funding to cover the considerable home adjustments that are required for him. Rohan’s experience with navigating this system can’t get over the arbitrary cap set by the National Disability Insurance Act – which you can read more about at Disability Doesn’t Discriminate. It’s clear that under the current model of public funding, Ian won’t be able to live at home with Rohan, where he belongs.

We are very grateful for your support so far. We are now asking for some more support to get Ian home. We remain really hopeful that Ian will recover sufficiently to return to the job he so loves, but we need some help to get him there. All contributions will go first towards funding adjustments to Ian and Rohan’s home for his power chair and other additional needs, with remaining funds used to have carers providing the support he needs day-to-day.

First, we wanted to thank you once again for your incredible generosity and unwavering support. We are pleased to say that Ian was finally able to come home on Thursday, 21st November, and we couldn’t be more grateful. It’s definitely a bittersweet moment for Ian and Rohan—so much has changed, but the warmth of being home, surrounded by love, has been a tremendous comfort to him.

The funds raised so far have been pivotal in making Ian’s transition home a reality. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to modify the bathroom to meet his needs, purchase essential equipment, and provide the support he requires to get in and out of bed each day. These changes have brought enormous relief, both for Ian and for Rohan, as they navigate this new chapter together.

Ian continues to show resilience, humour, and determination that are nothing short of inspiring. His tenacity, combined with the outpouring of love and support from all of you, continues to lift his spirits and fuel his progress. On good days, Ian can walk short distances with a walker and continues to build his strength in his arms and legs. On most days, you can find him rolling around in his power chair on and off the Sydney light rail.

Ian’s recovery journey is far from over. While he is making incredible strides, his daily care needs remain significant. He continues to have ongoing pain and spasms, and has not recovered good use of his hands. The physical challenges he faces require ongoing assistance, including two carers twice daily to help him with the basics of daily life—getting in and out of bed, personal care, and managing his physical therapy.

As you may recall, Ian does not qualify for the support available through the NDIS due to his age, and My Aged Care funding covers only 20% of his daily care support needs. Ian’s ongoing expenses related to his care and rehabilitation are a significant burden, while we work out what a new normal looks like with Ian home. Any further support will go towards covering the remaining care, and adjustments that will help get Ian back to work! We are so endlessly grateful for the support and can’t wait to give you further updates in person.

Kathy Christensen

7 months ago

$1500

Anne Mainsbridge

8 months ago

$100

Guy Russo

8 months ago

$5000

Meg Tudehope

8 months ago

$1000

Julie Flynn

8 months ago

$500

Anonymous

8 months ago

$1000

celeste senior

8 months ago

$50

Helen Appleton

8 months ago

$50

Monica Vardabasso

8 months ago

$50

James Black

8 months ago

$25

Wendy + Danika Thom

8 months ago

$50

Anonymous

8 months ago

$25

Dinah Dolbel

8 months ago

$1000

Peter Bazzana

8 months ago

$50

DOUGLAS KIRWIN

8 months ago

$200

Anonymous

9 months ago

$5000

Kate and Jack Steif

11 months ago

$25

Lindy Wrightson

11 months ago

$500

Jim Finlay

11 months ago

$30

Jan and Doug Ferguson

11 months ago

$500

Russo Family

Wishing you much coming home love! Xxx

9 months ago

Melissa Quigley

Dear Ian, “…far exceeding the expectations of his medical team…” – Love this! So inspiring. Keep at it! May each new day bring you renewed strength!

1 year ago

Anthony Lanati

Dear Ian, Wishing you a good and progressively successful recovery that sees you home soon. I will be forever grateful for how open and willing you have been to answer a cold email and say hello at various geo events in the past. Really chuffed to see the fundraiser moving closer to your target!

1 year ago

Russell & Win Meares

Ian, Best wishes from all your friends at SMEDG. Go hard AND go home ! Russell Meares

1 year ago

Nicola Milne

Thinking of you all and sending my love. Nx

1 year ago

Anonymous

Hi Rohan & Ian, I got tied up here in NZ with all sorts of Mastercard online security problems but it looks like these have now been solved. Chris and I hope Ian continues to make progress with his recovery. Best wishes, John and Chris

1 year ago

Moira Rayner

Of course. First I need to get my practising certificate renewed and then deal with my accountancy fees but I deeply understand the need is now and is a noble project if only to preserve the treasury of dreadful Dad jokes. Love to the lot of you. Funds will follow. MoiraR

1 year ago

Rohan Squirchuk

You are an amazing friend Moira. Thank you.

1 year ago

Ian Pringle & Rohan Squirchuk

Ian Pringle

Mikaela Squirchuk

Rohan Squirchuk