First Ever Night Out in Wellington Together

Hi Molly and Nick, It's a sunny day here in the Bay of Plenty. I hope it's the same where you are. I hope you're progressing well Nick. You'll likely become tired quickly and as frustrating as this is when you've been a fit and active person, it's a normal part of recovery.

I'm sure you'll be having consultations with Neurologists and other Brain Injury specialists. Well, I hope so !

Depending on the degree of damage done to your noggin it could be slow progress...try really hard not to let that get you down Nick and look at all you are still able to do...you have your sight, your hearing and you aren't paralyzed. Please don't take that as me minimizing what you're experiencing Nick, I certainly am not...I just know for myself that being reminded of what I had rather than what I lost was useful...When I became well enough I worked for an organisation helping people with all different disabilities (dunno if that's the PC word nowadays!) and that experience helped reinforce not to take what I could still do lightly.

I'm sorry if my words aren't all a box of fluffies but it's important to be realistic and also to get accurate information from the Health professionals involved. Knowledge is power....read and understand what's happened to you.

My thoughts and prayers to you and Molly and your family.

If you ever wanted to chat or write and if I can help in anyway please don't hesitate.

Kia ora,

I am a researcher at the University of Otago (https://www.otago.ac.nz/anthropology/staff/otago636914.html). I have been studying medical crowdfunding. I have mostly been exploring this topic through interviews and case studies, but as I have an interest in creative writing and visual art, I also use this as a way to explore the topic.

I am writing to ask permission to use the main photo from this campaign, in a stained glass art project I am working on. If you gave permission, I would paint a black & white version of the photo onto a piece of glass the size of a smartphone. This would be displayed alongside aprox 12 other images on the same size piece of glass. Accompanying this would be some quotes from participants in my research, and a general explanation about the topic of medical crowdfunding.

The goal of the exhibit is to get people to think about empathy, care and charity… how they respond (or not) to people telling their stories and asking for help online.

At this stage I plan to show the artwork as part of a presentation at a conference in Seattle, and another in Wellington, in November. I may also show it at other academic conferences, and/or a small exhibition as part of Dunedin’s Fringe Festival in 2023. Images of the artwork I produce will potentially also be published as part of academic articles or essays.

If you do decide to give permission, you (and Nick) could chose either for the image to be presented anonymously, or to Nick's name, in which case I will put it in the acknowledgements whenever I show the art piece.

As a thank you, I would send you a small gift voucher.

Thanks so much for your time and consideration. You can contact me via this email address: susan.wardell@otago.ac.nz

Wishing you well, noho ora mai

Susan

Hi Molly. Please can you update us on his progress. Will be thinking of Nick and his family. For My husbands 40th birthday he and his friend went to Auckland CBD for some quiet drinks. They were randomly beaten up by three guys and were in hospital. Thankfully just heaps of stitches and bruising. Nothing too major. I feel so sad there are people out there who obviously have no care or empathy for others. Luckily they are very much the minority.

Hi Molly - Gina here no need to respond to the email I sent Nick, it’s all good. I was just saying that I did some of the work myself and waiting to hear back from our neighbour re a tree! I will over the next week or so pay the quote as my donation - have paid $100 already I’ll pay the difference over the next few days on payday! I hope he gets better soon