Support Claire Through Surgery & Recovery

Claire is a tetraplegic as a result of a car accident when she was 17 after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. She has never let this disadvantage get in her way or placed limitations on herself or what she can achieve. She just got on with life and made the best of a very difficult situation.

She has completed an Honours Degree and Masters and works full time in spite of being unable to walk or use her hands and arms completely.

On top of this she is an amazing, caring, thoughtful person who would do anything for anyone anytime they needed a hand. Shes one of the finest people i know

She started experiencing extreme pain recently and unfortunately testing revealed that she now urgently requires a C7- T1 discectomy and instrumental fusion to her neck as the operation to stabilise her neck performed 20 years ago has deteriorated to the point where her neck is collapsing. Without the operation, she will lose all movement completely. and be inflicted with severe pain as her vertebrae slowly cuts into her spinal cord.

ACC will cover the cost of surgery but will not cover the rehabilitation time off work which could to be up to 12 weeks as she was a minor at the time of her accident and does not qualify for income assistance.

She has just built a custom made house after the earthquakes to suit her disability and she risks losing her house if she can not make mortgage repayments and cover living costs which are higher due to her disability.

She is a very independent determined woman who has never asked for a handout and never would. She has made her own way in the world, never complained and never expected any special treatment. But right now she could really use a helping hand. She needs the surgery but currently can’t afford to take the time off work to recover and she desperately needs your help.