Support for Val

Product Description

Frankston, Victoria, Australia

Supporters

To the shock and disbelief of our family and friends my 19-year-old cousin, Valerie, experienced a spinal stroke on 2 August 2016 which caused permanent paraplegia and the loss of strength in her left hand. Since then, Val has been in hospital undergoing medical tests and intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy. She has made a lot of progress, however, doctors say that she will not be able to walk again. Val is expected to return home in early 2017 on her new wheels.

Val’s life will forever be different to the future she had imagined. There is nothing we can do to change what has happened, but at least with your support we can assist in providing a wheelchair-friendly lifestyle – without the added financial stress.

Val completed her VCE last year at Glen Waverly Secondary College and had just started the second semester of her Arts degree at Deakin University. She was a happy and healthy teenager, enjoying her life going out with friends and working out at the gym.

On 2 August, while at home and talking to her friend on the phone, she experienced an intense pain in her upper back. Little did she know that this day would be the start of a challenging new life.

Val started to feel numbness in both her hands. She was taken to hospital by ambulance and was seen hours later in emergency. The next day she was paralysed from the chest down. It wasn’t until later that an MRI revealed she had had a significant spinal stroke affecting the spinal cord from C6.

A spinal stroke, also known as a spinal infarction, is a very rare condition, particularly in young people. It is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the spinal cord usually due to a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel.

Val’s family are very much looking forward to having her back at home in February. However, a few wheelchair-friendly changes will be needed, including: a wheelchair ramp, bathroom modifications, a wheelchair accessible car and other equipment such as a special mattress, hoist installation, power wheelchair, commode and shower chair, as well as personal care. The estimated cost is $70,000.

Your donation will go a long way in helping to cover these costs and will help to alleviate financial worries.

Val is making good progress in her physiotherapy. Where initially she could only lie down, she can now sit with minimal assistance and is learning to independently wheel herself around.

We live in hope that with advances in technology, and because Val is young and determined, that one day she will defy the odds and be able to walk again.

Please donate generously and share Val’s story to help make this difficult journey a little easier.

If you would like to help with the fundraising effort and become a Fundraising Advocate for Val, please contact me at [email protected]

Gary Dawson

8 years ago

$2720

Laurent Lamberty

8 years ago

$100

Binura Silpa

8 years ago

$50

Gabby Davies

8 years ago

$10

Simone Del mastro

8 years ago

$20

Gisella Gramatakos

8 years ago

$30

Esther Jackman

8 years ago

$30

Carmen Nigro

8 years ago

$30

Anonymous

8 years ago

$150

DEBORAH YANZ

8 years ago

$30

Annick and Bradley Bignoux

8 years ago

$120

Libby O’Connor

8 years ago

$100

Hwafern Quach

8 years ago

$50

Phuong Ngo

8 years ago

$50

Anonymous

8 years ago

$20

Guylaine Felix

8 years ago

$300

Gerard Rampal

8 years ago

$124

Stephen O’Doherty

8 years ago

$101

Andrew Huynh

8 years ago

$2800

Anonymous

8 years ago

$50

Gary Dawson

PEN Underwriting Donation

8 years ago

Gabby Davies

“Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway” xo

8 years ago

Moutou Grandmere Chou

Grandmere prays for you everyday.

8 years ago

Patrick Moutou

Hey Valery, with our support from Patrick and family and Dirk Van Lantschoot. Always thinking about you!

8 years ago

Melissa Vartanian

Sending strength and love to a beautiful young woman. Your story is very touching, may God bless you and your family.

8 years ago

Michelle Lock

Hi Valerie, I was so saddened to hear about your spinal stroke. I wish you all the very best in this extremely challenging time in your life and I hope that you quickly settle back in at home. Keep up all of the Physio and OT work. Your teachers are thinking of you. Warmest wishes, Ms. Lock

8 years ago

Jill Brady

Our best wishes from the Sargeants.. A GWSC family

8 years ago

Letitia Comello

Thinking of you Valerie, wishing you a speedy recovery. Miss Comello xx

8 years ago

Chor Lim

Don’t give up, Val. All the best.

8 years ago

Carol Kilner

This beautiful young girl is a former student of Glen Waverley Secondary College. By making a donation, her family can make wheel chair accommodations to their home for her. Kindest regards Carol

8 years ago

Girish Ranade

Wish you all the best and blessings !

8 years ago

Sachi Seneviratne-Epa

Such a beautiful and strong girl- we will be with you throughout the entire journey Love, Sachi

8 years ago

Moorthy Rengarajulu

Val, we wish you for your speedy recovery…

8 years ago

Kirti Khare

All the best for your future Val.

8 years ago

Charmaine Kulasingham

Our thoughts and prayers are with you for a complete recovery. Charmaine and John Kulasingham

8 years ago

Rebecca Gunn

Thinking of you, Valerie. Warmest wishes – Miss Gunn x

8 years ago

Nicholas Lewton

Thinking of you Valerie. Love from Olivia and Nick

8 years ago

Paul Wilson

It seems important that we do what we can, to support Val and her family as she returns home. The fundraising campaign gives us all a chance to help. Together we really can make a difference. Best wishes Val Paul and Barbara

8 years ago

Ornella Rampal