Help bring ELaine home

On June 18 2017 my sister Elaine suffered a server stroke caused by a heart condition,it was to be two days later she was found laying on the floor with very little movement,she almost lost her life.Incredibly she has survived this and we are very great full and thankful to all the medical team doctors and nurses at the continuous care rehabilitation ward at the Alice Springs public Hospital for there excellent service and care in assisting Elaine in her recovery

Elaines life has changed forever she will never be the same again, but her smile laughter and personality still shines through which shifts the focus away from the physical scaring that is present that her stroke has caused.

Remarkably her speech her connective thought patterns and conversational abilities are all improving slower which is expected, she can understand everything you say and recognises everything and everyone,confusion with some names time and placers etc.She has no feeling to her right side,and limited movement she will need full time care to assist her in her personal care.

Within this period my sister Shamane and daughter Taryn has worked tirelessly in assisting Elaine in every way,physically emotionally mentally and financially there support has been unconditional.

Shamane applied through various Australian government departments Centrelink,department of social services and other recommended departments to help facilitate in Elaine’s care whilst in hospital and after she would be discharged.

After many days weeks and hours of meetings and filing application after application their hard work for assistance came to no avail as all applications were denied.

Due to the fact that the Government of Australia through a legislative law that they have in place stating that any New Zealander who has moved to Australia after 2001 is not eligible under the act for any benefits or financial assistance regardless of working and paying taxes within Australia.

Unfortunately my sister Elaine and probably many other kiwis who live in Australia will fall under this legislation and through no fault of there own not eligible for any financial support and services.

Because of this law and because she has been denied all financial assistant a new plight in her situation has arisen the hospital has advised my sister that they have no alternative to advise her that she has to leave ASAP as they have no choice to charge for her care which is a phenomenal cost per day...

It’s important to note that the hospital has said that they still have a responsibility to take care for her and will continue to do so.

So what is in place is that through the advice provided from the New Zealand Stroke Foundation it was suggested that we ask for a Hospital transfer from Alice Springs to Tauranga Hospital.As she is still in the hospital system.This request has been initiated and the staff from Alice Springs hospital is assisting with this process

My motivation for setting this page up is to firstly make bring about awareness on behalf of my sister and all other kiwis who are living in Australia and are struggling to get assistance from the Australian government wether it be health or education kiwis are greatly disadvantaged and each story should be told and shared .

Secondly to raise funds to bring my sister home so that she can receive the continued care that she deserves and live and sustain a quality of life for the rest of her life.

Before my sister became unwell she worked very hard.A mother of four children and a grandmother of nine she untilized her time and experience in her passion in helping and caring for others especially youth of today.

When she moved to Alice Springs in 2014 she found her passion,she worked and cared for disadvantage youth and worked along side various aboriginal communities assisting and caring for the disabled .she loves life and loved her work especially enjoyed working with teenagers or

young adults..

My Whanau and I would like to thank you for telling my sisters story every dollar we will be greatly appreciated and acknowledge with great mana and Aroha...thank you ...