Without significant advances in spinal cord injury research, Sam will not conceivably be able to enjoy pre-injury pursuits: (age champion) swimmer, rugby league, basketball and tennis player, musician/cellist and general keen outdoor-ist.

Despite confinement to a power wheelchair and reliance on a ventilator to breathe with direct abdominal feeding and constant manual removal (suctioning) of oral and tracheal secretions, Sam's unaffected mind, intellect and acute sense of humour remain as keys to a more independent and rewarding lifestyle. (Sam will require the rest-of-life presence of two ventilator and tracheostomy trained carers with him 24/7).

WHY ARE YOUR DONATIONS NEEDED?

The gap between what the NDIS will agree is "reasonable & necessary" to provide "choice & control" can be very different from a client's determination of what is "reasonable & necessary" to provide "choice & control".

This gap can be the difference from just "surviving" to really "thriving" and contributing to society.

Sam is being recognised as having the potential to represent Australia at an elite Paralympic level in the sport of boccia.

Sam's participation in this and in other daily activities requires the ever-present assistance of support workers. For times away from home like holidays and interstate/overseas sporting competitions, this will include the travel and accommodation needs of all of the support workers required to cover the 24/7 roster.

Costs are anticipated to be very high for medical/travel insurance and the provision of medical support personnel to be alerted and available if needed to allow for safe travel.

Assistive technologies for Sam's needs are at the extreme end of the market in terms of complexity and cost and also the at-times exhausting process of trialling.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR DONATIONS?

The benefits to Sam from your support include:

• Certainty of funding to pursue Australian Paralympic Team selection including the pre-requisite international competitions;
• Substantial reduction in the burden of care required of the family (respite) to enjoy times away from home such as holidays and sporting competitions;
• Assurance of the basic right-to-life and therapeutic equipment to maintain positive physiological state as effectively as possible;
• Adaptive technologies will promote a sense of independence and capacity to contribute to society as a whole;
• Ensuring maximised, quality access to formal and informal education opportunities;
• Ensuring access to hobbies and leisure activities as much as possible despite the disability;
• Maximising the capacity to capitalize on their retained high intelligence for not only their benefit but for that of the wider community.