Aunty Di's Down But Not Out!

Diana Batchelor 56yrs

2 daughters

3 grand children

We would love to be able to help our Aunty Di to purchase a decent van with a wheelchair hoist. She is a very inspirational person who never complains but rather, tries to always encourage others with kind positive words and by being generous with what she has.

On 30 September 2020, while the two family members she lives with were at work, our Aunty was home alone coping with a medical condition called Spinal Stenosis. She was able to walk with the help of a walker and do most normal things but at a much slower pace. On this particular day, she was tired and decided to use her wheelchair. When she wanted to lay down to rest she had to transfer from the wheelchair to her bed.

Sadly, when she stood up, something caused her to place her foot in the wrong position so that she was facing away from the bed, and on trying to correct it, she stomped down as if pushing on the breaks and jarred her whole spine and then spun and fell to the floor. After realizing that she could not move, and no one was responding to her cries for help, she had to army crawl to reach the blanket hanging from her bed so her phone would drop to the floor to allow her to call emergency services. She has not been able to move the lower half of her body since that day.

She spent three months in the Spinal Unit at Burwood Hospital after having her Thoracic 1 to 8 vertebrae fused with titanium rods at Christchurch Hospital. Shout out to the staff in both facilities! Amazing people!

Aunty Di is a humble person living on a small budget. She has a strong faith and a loving family who do help her as much as their circumstances allow, however, financially they are struggling themselves. We would love for Aunty Di to be able to actually attend in person her weekly worship meetings. Up until recently, all services have been held on zoom, but now she has the opportunity to meet in person which can really give a boost to physically associate with like minded ones. Unfortunately, Aunty Di would have to catch a wheelchair taxi from Rangiora to Kaiapoi to attend, which is a high weekly cost, even with mobility discounts. Also, we have family get togethers and would love to have her over to our place sometimes and meet at different restaurants and cafes, or even go to the movies in town. She also has ongoing appointments in Christchurch throughout the year which adds to her expenses.

Whilst she has an electric wheelchair, she can only go short distances as she loses energy very quickly. We are sure this would increase her happiness and make her life even more positive and encouraging. We really appreciate your support.

Thank you.