Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
5 T uesday, 29 July, 2014
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Tree accident has crippled couple’s earning capacity...
Helping hand By JODIE SYMONDS A FERNTREE GULLY couple will be holding a fund-raiser after a tree landed on Rhys Knight’s leg and left them in serious debt. His partner Dian Brunt last week claimed that Centrelink would not put through his disability claim, saying it was too early to determine if he was disabled. Centrelink responded to Ms Brunt’s claims. “Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said the department was working with the family to ensure they received all they were entitled to,” media adviser at Centrelink, Paul Creedon said. The couple’s nightmare began on 6 April when a tree landed on the 24-year-old’s leg after he made a desperate attempt to move out of the way. The tree landed on his lower left leg, crushing his ankle, muscles and damaging an artery. “I was around a metre off being killed and I couldn’t imagine leaving my family behind,” Mr Knight said. Doctors worked for six gruelling hours to attempt to save his left leg. With no success, Mr Knight discussed with doctors the options of removing his lower left leg, or to have it permanently placed in a 90-degree angle. He then made a life-changing decision to have the lower half of his leg amputated. With a 16-month-old daughter and currently 33 weeks pregnant, Ms Brunt said when she first heard about the accident she felt overwhelmed. “Not only am I a mother, and expecting baby number two, I am also a full-time care person to my beloved partner,” Ms Brunt said. “I felt worried and shocked; it really didn’t kick in until I rang my mum and couldn’t help but cry. “It’s true what they say - you never really know who is there until some-
Rhys and Dian with Makyra, 16 months. 124354 thing tragic happens and you’re left with nothing.” After going through close to 20 surgeries since the accident, Mr Knight’s leg will have to be deemed as safe before beginning the prosthetic process. Having no insurance to cover the accident, this left the family in serious financial difficulties.
The benefit will be held to help them get out of debt, on 10 August from 11am until 8pm at Belgrave South Oval. There will be many attractions including a silent auction, face painting, car display, live bands and a raffle to raise funds. Ms Brunt said their family had been relying on other relatives and friends to
cover their expenses. “Emotionally we have gone through major anxiety, physically not getting any payment and having to borrow money off family and friends,” Ms Brunt said. “Not having the usual constant income coming through made us skyrocket into debt,” Ms Brunt said. “If it weren’t for everybody we’d be
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homeless and in an even worse situation,” Ms Brunt said. Ms Brunt said she would like to thank everyone who had contributed in assisting them get through such a difficult time. To donate visit https://www.facebook.com/events/239705662904712/
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