As you might be aware, RISA recently learned of the plight of a Tasmanian family who’s battle to find effective management of their 3 1/2 year old’s health issues was getting them no where. Tasmania has no paediatric gastroenterologists and this case is complex because it involves not only gastro issues but significant, repeated (and possibly related) respiratory issues.
The little girl is admitted approximately every three weeks to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of her local hospital and Mum is at her wits end because she feels there is a high likelihood that her repeated respiratory issues are linked to her proven free-flowing and severe reflux. They have reached the end of the possible investigations available to them in Tasmania.
It was time for a second opinion and, supportive as we always are of a parent’s absolute need to “trust your gut” when it comes to your child’s health issues, we set about trying to see if we could get this family to a second opinion in one of the major capital cities. Grandma lives in BrisVegas so that’s the destination of choice.
And a crowd funding campaign to raise funds to get them there and cover some medical expenses was mounted.
With your wonderfully generous support, we raised more than our goal of $1500 in two days!!
As you well know, this is likely to help but not entirely cover all of their expenses so if you would still like to contribute, its not too late and every little bit will help. Go to RISA’s GoFundMe page to make a contribution.
So far it will cover airfares, gastro and respiratory specialist appointments and possibly an endoscope if required while they are there.
It is entirely possible that further investigations or surgery will be required during another trip and we will let you know if we need to mount another campaign to help the family further.
So far though you should know that you have helped ease the burden on this family immensely with your generous donations. I am, as ever, incredibly proud of the RISA family and the work we do to help each other through what can be a terrifying, and sometimes life-threatening journey – as it is in this case for this little girl.
We’ll keep you posted.
Author: Jo Matthews, RISA President
Last update: 23 March 2014