Marathon fundraiser for Johnnys spinal Injury
Running the Dunedin Half marathon to help fundraise money for Johnny's spinal injury recovery Journey.
Otago, Dunedin City
A day before they were set to arrive home to celebrate their engagement, the world had a different path for my soon to be brother in law and sister. Johnny was in a surfing accident at his fav Gold Coast surf break D Bar. On his first wave of the day he hit a sand bank and broke his back, bent his spinal cord, broke a few ribs and had a slightly collapsed lung. He was held above the surface and helped into shore by a group of surfers and lifeguards.
He was then treated by a team of paramedics, and airlifted by Westpac rescue helicopter to Brisbane to have surgery, which went as well as it could. Whilst currently paralysed from the hips down, we are staying positive for a full recovery, everyday bringing something new to hold on to!
Charlie and Johnny are two of the most kind and selfless people I know and have supported me in so may ways and never expected nor asked for anything in return.
In order to help them on the road to recovery, some my flatmates, friends and I have signed up to run the Dunedin half marathon on the 15th of September to fundraise for Johnny and Charlie and the next stage of their life and the road they have ahead of them.
It is always hard to ask and accept help, though with a very uncertain future ahead of them I would love to ask for your help to fundraise to support my sister and her incredible fiancé in what will be one of the hardest challenges they will face and very uncertain time ahead. Anything and everything is so appreciated.
Annie Gordon's involvement (page creator)
I've known Johnny for the last 6 years since he started dating my sister, he now is set to marry her in the near future making him finally and legally my older brother. He's one of the most generous and loving person, I have the privilege of knowing.
Use of funds
As a carpenter by trade and a surfer at heart Johnny has currently lost the ability to not only walk and surf but work. The money will be spent on incoming hospital bills for treatment and the estimated next 6-18 months in the Brisbane hospital spinal ward
Other page links
Latest update
A week 8 update 14 August 2024
An update in the words of Charlie, Johnny's Fiance:
Today marks day 56
We stood next to each other! (with a little help of course) for the first time since his accident, my beautiful brother flew in to surprise Johnny, we finally got a day pass and escaped the hospital, had a session with hyperbaric oxygen chamber and red light bed, jumped on a bus, visited Southbank, Johnnys been practising moving his feet with control AND his first hydrotherapy session!
The first time under water since his accident (which happened in the ocean), bit of PTSD, but he was determined.
When we first shared about johnny’s accident and his spinal cord injury, we shared that he had no sensation or movement from the hips down. We have been celebrating all signs, tingles, and spasms that his body has been communicating change but from a medical and testing perspective his injury is what they deem complete.
But in the pool, his legs gave us a big SIGN they are starting to come back showing movement below his point of injury - we could feel his hip flexors, hamstrings, quads and calves firing. Beyond MASSIVE!
There’s something very powerful about having all the odds stacked against you, and still choosing courage, staring your fear right in the face, throwing absolutely everything you can at it, continuing to trust and hold the faith even when you’re not seeing the evidence yet and believing that truly anything is possible! In awe of my determined man, proud of him, proud of us.
Latest donations
Who's involved?
Page Q&A
Ask a question hereAny concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.