Help us get Chris a Cough Assist Machine

Please help us to give Chris a better quality of life.

My older brother Chris is the most amazing, kind, brave young man and we need your help to buy him a life-saving Cough Assist Machine.

Chris is a 29 year old living in Hamilton New Zealand with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; this is a progressive neuromuscular condition that causes muscle wasting. Chris has been confined to an electric wheelchair for around 20 years. Overtime Chris's muscles have weakened considerably resulting in him only being able to move his fingers and head.

The last few years have been a scary time for us as Chris has been hospitalized several times due to life-threatening pneumonia. This is caused by Chris catching a common cold that rapidly deteriorates Chris's breathing. Because of his condition, Chris doesn't have enough muscle tone to cough up the phlegm when he gets cold meaning the liquid is not expelled from his lungs and therefore becomes infected and pneumonia quickly develops.

During his last hospital admission in May 2017 the physiotherapist used a Cough Assist Machine to help clear Chris's lungs; thankfully he recovered. The cough assist machine is commonly used by people like Chris, however they are not government funded and cost around $10,000. This machine is essential for Chris to use every day to avoid being hospitalised again with pneumonia which he will not likely survive.

Any donation is greatly appreciated. Please help to improve Chris's health.

Thank you for taking the time to help Chris.