A fundraiser has been launched to help a paraplegic single mother and her disabled daughter at Bateau Bay who have lost their only form of transport.
More than 30 years ago, Joanne McSweeny stopped to assist a driver on the side of the road.
In the process she became involved in an accident herself when another car hit them from behind.
In a split-second her life changed forever.
Suffering severe injuries, she was left as a paraplegic.
After a very long recovery in hospital and rehabilitation Joanne got on with her life and achieved many things including obtaining a university degree.
Several years later tragedy struck again when the father of her young children succumbed to mental illness and took his own life.
As well as that McSweeney’s youngest child, Mercy Dennis, was born with a debilitating condition.
Mercy was born with Koolen De Vries syndrome, cerebral palsy and a moderate intellectual disability.
Because of her physical limitations and impaired cognitive function, Mercy requires assistance with all daily activities such as personal care, dressing and hygiene, food preparation, 24-hour supervision and support to access transport, shopping, social and community engagement.
A very happy and social person, Mercy loves nothing more than interacting with people and keeping active on her scooter, walking, swimming, bush walking and helping her mum with the shopping.
She eagerly engages in community participation programs five days per week with Youth Connections and her much-loved carers.
But the mother and daughter’s only means of transport has become inoperable, leaving them dependent upon the goodwill of family, friends and others to lead fulfilling lives and access essential services.
The GoFundMe campaign started by locals aims to raise enough money to allow them to buy a car, enabling them to maintain independence, access vital health appointments and experience the freedom to travel for entertainment and enjoyment.
Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jo-and-mercy-have-lost-their-wheels.
CCN
So much of our tax money is actually wasted through companies and individuals scamming the NDIS.And the system cannot find a way to help these beautiful ladies stay INDEPENDANT.. agood steong independant review of the system is needed urgently..