Our family with health needs needing vehicle repair or upgrade

In 2011 young Isaac was diagnosed with Leukemia, unofficially on Christmas Eve and officially a few days later. Mum was forced to seperate from her other children back in Tearoha while she attended to Isaac up at Starship. Isaac was 20 months old. Over the following 3 years Isaac and mum travelled back and forth to Starship for treatment with quite a few hospital admissions on the way. Isaac has completed his treatment but goes for regular follow-up appointments every six months.

Rachel, Isaacs sister was quite unwell for at least a year before she fell over at school and it was discovered she had a brain tumor. April 2015 Nana was called to the school as Rachel had fallen and had lost control of her legs. Nana took her to Waikato and mum followed. There they did a scan and found the tumor. Rachel and mum were taken up to Starship by ambulance, although it was urgent enough for a helicopter they could not fly as it would be unsafe due to air pressure changes. Rachel underwent surgery to remove her tumor which was found to be Medulloblastoma and it was in the posteria, or back of her head. Rachel faced a prognosis of 60% chance of survival.

Rachel contracted a bad hospital bug called MRSA meningitis which is a super bug and very hard to treat. This was a worrying time and Rachel had a bad allergic reaction to the anti-biotics and got Redmans. It is still upsetting to talk about it now.. but she overcame that and went on to have 30 high doses of radiation to her brain and spine. Sadly the radiation usually causes girls to not be able to have children when they are older as it crosses over to the ovaries. But then again maybe she can adopt.. Rachel then underwent chemotherapy. Rachel and mum spent a total of 5 months away from home living at Starship. Right now it is Covid19 lockdown and its slightly similar to what it was like being in lockdown in ward7 except there are no windows that open, and none of the comforts of home..

Rachel didnt eat for a year and was so very thin, and was sustained only by nastrogastric feeds through a tube. She had to learn to walk again, but her school when she did return saw the teachers with tears in their eyes as she finished the cross country, although last lol (just like her mum i tell her <3). Rachel has been kept back a year but although she is accademically challenged now it doesnt stop her giving everything a go. Her cancer journey has produced a girl whos full of endurance, determination, gratitude and understanding and courage that is far beyond her age. My dad says shes like an old soul lol. Shes a beautiful person.

Anyway Rachel and mum still have to attend MRI, regular checkups and appointments but she is in school doing regular life. Most people I guess set up a give a little page when their child or loved one is still very sick.. I am on the other hand setting this up to ask for help as although Rachel is back at school, and my older children have left home I am still challenged at home with Rose and older sibling of 14. She is in alternate education, has social anxiety, and very challenging behaviours with cognitive delays years behind her age. She is on the autistic spectrum like her older brother Daniel they both have aspergus. It has limited my ability to get a job as the children depend on me so much and with Roses limited hours at school and not wanting to be at home by herself due to her anxiety. I have decided to start study toward being a councellor and hopefully be able to help other people experiencing illness as my family have one day. Id like to work with Child Cancer Foundation or something similar.

So the main reason I made a page is to try get some help to get our vehicle up to standard as I have been having to rely on others for transport due to repairs needing to be done. The total cost for repairs to get it back on the road is $1700. Also Ive had our van since 2008 back when I was with my then husband, and although its done us a good service I no longer have the need for a big 8 seater van as I dont have 7 children at home, it can be expensive to run, and the kms are getting high at 240,000km. I would like to get something reliable and smaller to get the kids to their appointments and to and from school each day, to continue to take them out camping and to the beach and to see family and friends, and to enable myself to attend some appointments with a psychologist in Tauranga and attend the odd on-site requirement at Bethlehem Institute for my study.

Thankyou so much for your time reading this, i know it is long but I felt I had to put everything in and not leave anything out. Thankyou from the kids and I <3