For Pete's Sake

April 11th started much the same as every other Thursday for Pete, Emmajane and Isaac Bell: Pete went off to work and Emmajane took Isaac to school — where she also works as a teacher aid.

However, by day’s end, their lives would be changed forever!

Soon after arriving at work, Pete began to feel unwell, and was then transported to hospital but discharged soon after, and returned to work, only to collapse and be rushed back to hospital by ambulance. Tests soon proved that Pete had suffered a brain bleed from a ruptured aneurysm and immediately underwent a procedure to block off the burst blood vessel.

Initially, the procedure seemed successful, but within days Pete had suffered a catastrophic stroke caused by the blood vessels around the bleed going into spasm and reducing blood supply to critical parts of his brain. Medical Staff were unsure what the outcome would be.

A third of people who have a burst aneurysm die immediately; another third survive but are impaired by the trauma, and the final third fully recover from the ordeal.

Three weeks down the track — Pete has lost his speech, cannot swallow effectively, and must be fed with a tube into his stomach, and is essentially bedridden with significant loss of limb power. Through all of this, Pete has remained positive, indicating his needs by hand signals and facial gestures.

Pete and Emmajane are a loving generous young couple, always eager to help others. Now they need help! At best, Pete, who was the family’s breadwinner, will not be able to return to work for some significant period, and Emmajane will need to care for him and their 7yr old son during this time, making even part-time work improbable for her also.

We are hoping and praying that in time Pete will eventually be back playing his beloved electric guitar, so any donations towards Pete, Emma and Isaac’s ongoing living expenses, would be deeply and gratefully appreciated.

Please can you help this little family