Sammi's Surgery

Sammi was a vibrant young woman working as a Health Care Assistant at a local Aged Care Facility. At 21, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Dec 2022, just two weeks after her 21st birthday, causing paralysis from her feet to her shoulders. Despite the challenges of learning to walk again, Sammi remained resilient and determined, supported by her family.

Sammi's condition led to two years of toe walking, causing severe strain on her knee and hip joints and shortening her Achilles tendons. Her doctors have determined she urgently needs bilateral Achilles tendon release surgery to treat her shortened Achilles tendons. This shortening causes constant, excruciating pain, limits her ability to walk and has a major affect on her posture and balance, making daily activities more challenging and causing overwhelming fatigue.

The public health system's wait time for an orthopaedic consultation and surgery is 4+ years, risking further complications, including the need for knee and hip replacements by age 30, and significantly affecting Sammi's mental health.

Determined to provide the best care, we have decided to pursue self-funded surgery. We contacted several orthopaedic surgeons, seeking immediate intervention. We have set up this page to raise funds for the surgery to ensure Sammi can undergo surgery without delay, paving the way for a brighter future, so she can return to her passion and career in elderly care and live pain free.