A fundraising effort has been launched to assist in the rehabilitation of a Dubbo teenager who sustained severe spinal injuries last year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
James Heilbronn was left a paraplegic after a pool-related accident at Farrer Memorial Agricultural School just two days before his HSC.
James was recently transferred from Royal North Shore Hospital to The Royal Rehabilitation Centre at Ryde where he will remain an inpatient for the next three months while learning to adapt to his changed circumstances.
Farrer PT&F Central Western Social Support Group (CWSSG) co-ordinator Bev Winters said that before James is able to come home to Dubbo, the Heilbronn family needs to purchase a suitable wheelchair-friendly home, as well as a wheelchair-friendly vehicle, so that life for James is as comfortable as possible.
Mrs Winters said in a bid to assist the family the CWSSG will be holding a fundraising raffle if enough goods are made available.
"Any assistance any person or business is able to provide, either by way of suitable raffle goods, or a monetary donation would be gratefully accepted," she said.
Mrs Winters said the process of relocation was "on top of the many expenses they are incurring while providing support to James during his recuperation".
"They, just like anybody else, don't like to have to ask others for help but they realise this is something that is bigger than they can deal with by themselves."
Helen Heilbronn said any donations would ultimately assist James to gain his independence.
"His spirits are brilliant and he has rekindled an interest in animation and has started talking about plans to (study) graphic arts at university," she said.
"He is really looking forward to moving on from where he is at the moment and getting on in life."
Bev Winters can be contacted on 6841 4820 or 6885 3322.