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Supporting Elton, Kirstie, Olivia, Charlie and Hannah

  • Update 19 August

      19 August 2020

    Hi all,

    Just wanting to give you a final update before closing this page. Firstly, keen to pass on another thanks for your valued support throughout our journey. Your kindness and generosity has been very much appreciated. We are thankful for all the visitors from the north and south who have spent time with Elton, Kirstie and family over the past few months. We have loved catching up with you all. We can’t thank everybody enough for their individual ways they have contributed to our family. Every person has chosen their own way of supporting us and we appreciate you all. We have been blown away by the thoughtfulness of what you have chosen to do for us.

    I’ve recently gone through a nerve transfer operation to hopefully allow my fingers to open and close (up to 6 months to see results) with two more operations scheduled over the next 12-18 months to hopefully increase hand function. I continue to work daily with my physio and OT to build strength and work around some of my physical shortcomings. The team at Burwood have been absolutely outstanding aiding me in my recovery. As my time at Burwood is drawing to an end we will now be closing this page, but are only too happy for you to message us personally regarding any updates.

    Thanks again, we couldn’t have done it without you.

    Elton, Kirstie, Olivia, Charlie and Hannah.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 19/08/2020 by Kirstein

      Great news to hear and stay strong, work hard and hope to catch up with you when you are home and settled.

  • update 25 May

      25 May 2020
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    Hi all - an update from Elt below:

    Hi All

    Firstly I want to thank everybody for their generous contributions, thoughts, love and prayers as we embark on a road we have not travelled before.

    We are having a few ups and downs as we are learning to understand what function I am going to have going forward. My upper body is generally functioning ok excluding my fingers (unfortunately the Doctor holds no hope for these or from my torso south). I am currently working with my Physio and OT for a couple of half hour sessions a day. I’ve been let loose a couple of times in an electric wheelchair for small stints but frustratingly I am currently on bedrest which is hindering progress (for now).

    The timing of my accident wasn’t great as I was in an induced coma through the first 5 1/2 weeks of Covid. Unfortunately this brought about limited access for my family to visit and this continues to date under lockdown level 2. I am holding out some hope for visiting to open up so I can see Olivia and Charlie who are currently not allowed to visit.

    Kirstie has visited daily (excluding a couple of weeks in level 4 lockdown). In the last week we have been able to nominate one other family member to visit (Hannah) as she is in Christchurch with Kirstie.

    Kirstie and the kids have been an amazing support as have you all, our family and friends, whether it be through FaceTime or other means I have been humbled by the support for myself and family.

    I feeling good in myself, although a little daunted by what lays ahead and the changes life will now bring.

    Again, thank you so much for your continued support.

    Elton

      6 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 25/05/2020 by Fiona

      Thanks for your up date Elton.I bet Kirsty and the the kids are so proud of your attitude and determination. Team Family 👍😘

    • 25/05/2020 by Diane

      Awesome update Elton, keep up the positivity you are doing so well, looking great with the facial fuzz too :) - so happy that Kirstie and Hannah are with you - Hopefully Olivia and Charlie can see you soon. Keep going Elton, you guys rock.

      Lots of love Di and Terry

    • 25/05/2020 by Nell

      It is great to hear from you Elton. What a huge battle you and your family have at this time. To see your present progress is absolutely amazing. It will be so reasuring to have visits from Olivia, Charlie and Hannah. Not only will they help you but it also gives them a better picture of what you are up to. Our hearts go out to you all Nell and Tony XXXOOO

    • 25/05/2020 by Andrea

      Awesome photo Elt, love the catch ups on FaceTime, you’re getting stronger every time. Don’t stress about the fingers, you never know, they might just be taking their sweet time. You still have a sick sense of humour and I suppose your doctor holds no hope of fixing that.

      Luckily NZ is kicking Covids arse so I’m sure all the kids and Dad will be banging on in your ear before you know it.

      Catch up soon, Chris Andrea Caitlin & Lockie x

    • 26/05/2020 by Eleanor

      Hi Elton,

      Lovely to get your message and update. We think about you a lot and John has been keeping us informed on your progress.

      Love to you and the family

      Eleanor and John

    • 29/05/2020 by Tarm

      Awesome whanau, so proud of you guys. We think and talk about you guys often, wishing only the best for you all over the coming months.

  • update 22.04.2020

      22 April 2020
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    Elt has had a couple of big developments since our last update. He has been moved to Burwood (we are assured that he is entirely separated from the COVID folk).

    Elt went to Burwood on a ventilator and with this tracheostomy and less than a week later has had these removed. The Burwood staff are hoping to get Elt sitting up in the coming days so that they can make a start on his physical rehab.

    Kirst, Livy & Hannah remain down in Christchurch with Elt, but unfortunately he will not be allowed any visitors during COVID lockdown. From this respect, we really appreciate the continued messages of support, and we will relay these messages onto Elt to help him keep up his fight. Kirst reports that Elt is in good spirits and the old personality and humour are still there!

    See a photo of Kirst & Elt in the gallery at the bottom of the page below.

      7 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 23/04/2020 by Fiona

      Hi Elt , Kirsty & family, so lovely to see a photo of you guys. You got this! We are waiting on the other side of lock down with all the love and support we can give. Murray & Fiona

    • 23/04/2020 by Lynette

      Hi Kirstie

      Thinking of you and your family at this difficult, challenging time. Wishing Elton all the support he can muster for his recovery. Life does deal us some terrible blows! Stay strong for each other and know that time will be your healer.

      Much love and good wishes

      Lynette Logan

    • 23/04/2020 by Diane

      Hi Kirsty, Elton and family, such a lovely photo of you two!! Life sure can throw curveballs sometimes, but you all have got this definitely!! Love and prayers to you all Di and Terry

    • 23/04/2020 by BERNARD

      Hi team Elton. Cool to see a photo. That cheeky grin is still there! Had a big yarn with John the other day and he was just so stoked he had been able to talk to you. It will be bloody tough with Kirsty and the girls not being able to visit, but hopefully this lockdown will end soon and we can get on with it!

      Mate, you and the family are in our thoughts, and it is great to get the updates and hear (and see now!) how you are getting on. I gather the news is encouraging -and as you once told me - little steps Elton, little steps.

      Dont be tooo cheeky to those nurses, they have needles!

    • 24/04/2020 by Neale

      Mate, fantastic to see a photo!! Can't believe whats happened but like everything you have focused on in your life, you will prevail through this giving yourself the very best outcome possible. A groundswell of love and support awaits and i can't wait to jump on a plane and visit when you are able.

      Take care my friend ....i look forward to catching up and taking you for a skid in whatevers available to take you for a skid in !

    • 07/05/2020 by Marlene

      Hi Elton and Kirstie

      Sending positive thoughts and love to you all. It's great to see and read the progress you're making Elton. Looking foward to sharing a vino on the other side xo

      Marlene and Ash

    • 11/05/2020 by Scott

      Hey Elton, so sorry to hear of your tragic accident, and really appreciated the call. Still can’t believe it. We are both thinking of you and wishing you only the very best on your rehab. Will keep in touch with your progress and hope to catch up sometime down the track. Your positivity is an inspiration to us all.

      Your mates Scott and Adelle

  • Update 8 April

      8 April 2020

    Hi all, quick update on Elton’s condition.

    Good news, Elt is now out of his induced coma. 37 days post his accident, Elt’s birthday has passed, Elt & Kirsties 23 year anniversary has passed, the world has entered COVID lockdown, and Elt is now catching up to speed with the world events and his situation. Elt remains in the ICU in Christchurch, remains on a ventilator as he is not yet able to breathe on his own and has a tracheostomy which is preventing him from being able to speak.

    Whilst no longer sedated, hes on plenty of pain medication which can often make him drowsy, but all in all is responsive and more and more of the ‘old Elt’ is coming out every day. Elt is living his own COVID lockdown scenario, but Kirstie is able to visit him for an hour a day and although he can’t talk just yet he can communicate by mouthing words and Kirstie lipreading - not always successfully!

    We are hoping that Elt will be heading to Burwood in the next few weeks to start his rehabilitation and recovery process and adapting to life in a wheelchair. Uncertainty remains about the extent of the use he will have of his arms, but we’re confident that Burwood will get the best result possible for Elt.

    Once again we thank everyone for their generosity and messages of support.

      2 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 09/04/2020 by BERNARD

      Mate!

      Fancy missing an excuse for a knees up with your Birthday and also your wedding anniversary. Anything to get out of spending a dollar!

      I have been keeping in touch with John, and he has kept us up to date with your progress.

      Lots of people are asking how you are getting on, and it is great to hear that you are improving.

      If you cant talk yet, there will be a few people not getting any cheek anyhow!

      We hope you keep on the improve, and look forward to seeing your face back up here soon.

      You are very much in our thoughts.

      Best wishes - Bernard and Sharon Lilburn

    • 09/04/2020 by Andrea

      Hey Elt

      Very cool news to hear you’re awake and slowly but surely on the mend.

      This Covid 19 pandemic has been a right bastard with its timing, stopping people from being able to visit you and show how much they care.

      Thank goodness for technology so we can keep you updated on the important worldly events of late with our little ‘lame videos’ - 😆

      I have people asking everyday how you’re doing and sending their best wishes.

      Keep up the good fight and sending lots of love to you, Kirstie and the kids.

      Chris, Andrea, Caitlin & Lockie xxxx

  • update 21.03.2020

      21 March 2020

    Thank you so much everyone for the messages of support for Elt via this give a little page. Knowing that he has this level of support around him is so encouraging.

    Also thank you so much for the generous contributions to this page, we are overwhelmed and humbled by the kindness and generosity shown by those close to Elton and the family. This will help to fund weekend trips for Kirstie and the kids to spend time with Elt during his time in Christchurch ICU and Burwood.

    We are not looking for any further donations to this page, but we will keep this page open so that we can post progress updates on Elt for you all and so that people can continue to send messages of support.

    There is no update to provide at this point. Elt remains in a coma and we know nothing new. This coma is an induced and controlled coma for his own comfort as a few internal complications are worked through. Until Elt is out of this induced coma the full extent of his injuries will not be clear. We will keep you updated on Elt's progress via this page as we get developments.

    Thanks again

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    • 09/04/2020 by Fiona

      Thanks for up dates. Thinking of you everyday. LoveFiona & Murray❤️

    • 26/05/2020 by Vicki

      Hi Elton and Family

      A picture is worth a 1000 words and all I can say is its so bloody good to see your face. I and amazed at your strength and determination to move forward and know that we are all thinking of you all the time, wishing you all the best as you work toward recovering and moving forward, all our love, Vicki, Keeghan, Ethan and David xxx