Mates chip in to help Jason

Mates chip in to help Jason

Jecinta | 29th December 2009

FOR long-time spina bifida sufferer Jason Sheehan, the generosity of friends and the Brooms Head community has meant the world to him.

FOR long-time spina bifida sufferer Jason Sheehan, the generosity of friends and the Brooms Head community has meant that he no longer needs to make regular trips to Grafton to receive dialysis treatment.

Born with spina bifida, the 39-year-old has spent the past three years travelling to Grafton every second day to sit five hours while hooked up to a dialysis machine.

For Jason to be able to treat himself at home, a hospital-grade room for his medical equipment had to be factored into his home. Thanks to the help of his close surfing friends and donations from the community, this has been made possible.

Jason said his quality of life had improved due to the generosity of the people around him.

“I’m very thankful to all those that chipped in because it means that I don’t have to travel for treatment anymore,” he said.

“My mates often go away on fishing trips and now that I have flexibility with my treatment times I can have the weekends to myself and do things with my mates that I couldn’t do before.”

Hospital-grade floor lino, a new plumbing system and electrical work to the total of $2800 was fitted into Jason’s home to make life easier while he waits patiently for a kidney transplant.

Jason has been on the waiting list for almost three years. He said it was just luck of the draw in waiting for a suitable organ.

“You have to have such a close match and if it happens, it happens. I’m hopeful,” he said.

Jason has undergone two painful surgeries and suffered from a stroke.

Jason, a keen surfer and fisherman, said that when not at home hooked up on his machine he was out making the most of life.

“I’m enjoying life a lot more and nothing’s a hassle anymore,” Jason said.

He would like to give a special thanks to Scott Bradley from Poly Floor who donated the lino, and his surfing mates who chipped in the rest of the much needed funds and their time to build the room. Jason said it wouldn’t have been possible without their help and support.

PHOTO BELOW: Brooms Head man Jason Sheehan with his new kidney dialysis machine at home.

http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/story/2009/12/29/mates-chip-in-to-help-jason/