Surfing his final wave of joy before the gathering, Johnny, aged 32 and recently engaged to the one he adored, encountered a devastating turn of events that forever altered his life.
In a twist of fate, Johnny Konings, a 32-year-old Kiwi tradie, found his dream life at the brink of a devastating turn when he suffered a surfing accident on June 18, 2022, at Duranbah beach (known locally as D-bar) on the Gold Coast. Since then, Johnny has become the full-time carer, chauffeur, nurse, and advocate for his partner, Charlie.
The accident occurred just 24 hours before Johnny and Charlie were due to fly home to New Zealand for their long-awaited engagement party. As Johnny was being airlifted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, the only facility in Queensland equipped with a spinal rehabilitation ward, he remembered the sickening 'clunk' as his body hit the sandbar and the terrifying realization that he could no longer feel his legs.
Scans revealed Johnny had suffered a burst fracture at his T10 vertebra and a dislocation at T11. The damage to his spinal cord was classified as Asia A, which is the most severe form of paralysis. Despite everything they've lost, the fear of losing their dream of a family hurts the most.
Unfortunately, Johnny and Charlie find themselves stuck in a bureaucratic no-man's land, not eligible for government support in Australia or New Zealand due to their residency status. For non-citizen spinal cord injury survivors in Australia who have been in the country for less than three years and are ineligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), support and resources are available primarily through specialized disability organizations, community services, and non-government groups rather than through NDIS funding.
While the cost of Johnny's catheters alone is over $20,000 per year, not including specialised beds, equipment, wheelchairs, rehab, and other bills, the couple are trying to privately fund his medical needs, therapy, equipment, and daily care. Hospital staff provided Johnny with a basic wheelchair, but no further support was given.
In such circumstances, organizations like Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) and Spinal Life Australia provide advocacy, peer support, and guidance for people with spinal cord injuries. They offer emotional support, information, and help navigating complex health and disability systems, which may be valuable if you cannot access NDIS services. Spinal Life Australia runs a peer support network where people with lived spinal cord injury experience assist others with questions and psychosocial support, even if NDIS access is denied. Similarly, SCIA offers advocacy to help review documents or connect with local advocacy services.
Other groups like AQA provide programs tailored to people with complex physical disabilities, including spinal cord injuries. Their services include personal development, wheelchair skills, workshops, and community activities, helping participants maintain quality of life outside NDIS. Depending on the state (e.g., Queensland), health services may be accessible to those with spinal injuries irrespective of NDIS eligibility, especially if the condition resulted from trauma or medical causes. Facilities such as Ferguson Lodge offer transitional accommodation and rehabilitation support between hospital and home settings.
Despite the challenges, Johnny and Charlie remain hopeful. Johnny was told he would never walk again, but they continue to hold onto their dreams. It is advisable to connect with organizations like SCIA, Spinal Life Australia, and AQA to explore tailored support options in your state or territory.
- Johnny and Charlie's travel plans for their engagement party were disrupted by a surfing accident that left Johnny paralyzed, requiring him to adapt to a new lifestyle.
- News of Johnny's accident and subsequent caregiving role for his partner, Charlie, has spread, highlighting the struggles faced by non-citizens with spinal cord injuries in both Australia and New Zealand.
- Technology, such as specialized beds and wheelchairs, plays a crucial role in Johnny's daily life, but the costs are astronomical, forcing him and Charlie to privately fund his medical needs.
- The couple's dream of starting a family has been complicated by their residence status, leaving them without government support for their chronic health conditions, including chronic kidney disease and respiratory conditions.
- In the face of these challenges, organizations like Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) offer guidance, advocacy, and emotional support to individuals with spinal cord injuries, helping them navigate complex health and disability systems.
- Eye-health and hearing are also important aspects of Johnny's health and wellness, as chronic diseases like psoriasis and skin conditions can impact his overall health.
- General news outlets have reported on the couple's plight, shedding light on the need for improved health-and-wellness services and support for non-citizens with chronic diseases in both countries.
- Sports, once a part of Johnny's lifestyle, has become a distant memory, but he remains hopeful and continues to seek out organizations like Spinal Life Australia and AQA for tailored support and community engagement.
- Accidents can drastically change one's life, as Johnny's experience demonstrates, but advocacy and peer support can provide hope and guidance in the face of adversity.
