Friends and family are banding together to throw a benefit night aimed at supporting one of Dubbo's amputees.
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Longtime Dubbo resident Raymond Smith has spent recent months doing what he can to raise awareness, after he lost his lower right leg in January due to complications from diabetes.
The truck driver, and his partner Sonya, have urged others to get their blood sugar checked early and often and to educate themselves about the dangers of diabetes, since the shock diagnosis that cost him his limb.
While the former truckie is in good spirits thanks to the support of his family, friends and the specialists at Lourdes hospital, the road back to employment has been more difficult than anticipated.
"We were originally told that I wasn't entitled to parts of the NDIS and things like that, but I am now," Mr Smith said.
"Centrelink classed me as not having a disability because of some wording on the medical certificate, so we've appealed that judgement, so they've put me on Newstart, but they want me to look for a job."
A number of cancelled appointments and clashes with bureaucratic red-tape ensued, with the time and money eaten up by the difficulty in getting the situation sorted compounded by a longer wait than expected for a prosthetic limb.
"To go in there with half a leg and be told you're not considered someone with a disability, it just blows your mind," Mr Smith said.
"Surviving on Newstart, I just don't know how people do it, we're struggling and we're trying to do our best with help from Sonya's parents, but the financial strain is a big part of why the benefit is so important for us."
The benefit night, organised by Raymond's friends and family, will be held on Friday, March 27 at the Western Star Hotel.
An auction will be held after the benefit night begins at 6.30pm and a number of signed NRL jerseys and sporting memorabilia are already being donated to help raise funds to assist Raymond and Sonya.
While Mr Smith said it was difficult to ask for help, he said he was willing to 'put his hand up' and trust the Dubbo community's better natures.
"I know it's at a time where people are doing it hard and I'm not the only case that's ever happened, but the Dubbo community has always been pretty good with helping each other," Mr Smith said.
"I've always donated stuff to charities whenever I could and I believe in karma, so I'm hoping people come out to raise money and learn about what happened to me and learn about what the risks could be for themselves."
All funds raised will be used to help with the medical expenses incurred during the rehab process.
Those looking to donate items to the auction can contact the organisers through e-mail at trent.chippindall@gmail.com.
Direct donations can also be made online.
