John was on an excursion in Greece when the tour guide invited
tourists to swim down into the water and explore the Blue
Caves of Zante. John (6’4’’, 14 stone) a strong, well built
21 year old man was a very
confident swimmer entered the water and swam down through
the caves. On his way he found other swimmers obstructing
his exit path. When he eventually found a gap he pushed
upwards and in doing so injured his spinal cord at C5/C6
resulting in permanent tetraplegia. He is currently confined
to a
wheelchair and is “highly unlikely to achieve significant
change in his functional ability.”
He needs assistance with all aspects of personal care
which means twenty-four hour care, attention and general
supervision. John requires assistance with all elements
of his personal and domestic care and should
require assistance to maintain a safe environment and adequate
body temperature. Throughout the day and night John needs
to summon assistance both for his safety and for peace of
mind.
History of John’s accident:
• The date John’s accident happened was Wednesday 30th July
2003, Zante, Greece. John began being flown to intensive care
unit in mainland Greece
from the island of Zante.
• John was later air flown by ambulance from Greece to
London, England to St Thomas’ Hospital, London (SE1 7EH)
on Friday 8th August 2003. He later went to the intensive
care ward and shortly after was transferred to The Lane
Fox (Respiratory High Dependency Unit)
• John left St. Thomas’ Hospital and was transferred to
the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex
(HA7 4LP) on Thursday 30th October 2003.
• Six months later John was discharged from Stanmore on
Tuesday 30th March 2004 to The Westminster Hugh Myddelton
House based in Southgate, North London (N14 5QR). This residential home is of temporary use for John until he moves into a brand new bungalow in Whetstone, North London in late February 2006.
The McCafferty
Family visiting John in the hospital.
Back row: Patrick (John’s Father), Jean (John’s
Mother), Padraic (15).
Front row: Claire (20), Michael (10), John
(22) and Sarah (18)
Why do we need to raise money for John’s Fund?
Since John’s accident he has had a very traumatic and emotional
experience which has mainly been adapting to hospital life,
spending long amounts of time away from his immediate family.
He has been unable to work after having no option but to leave
two full time jobs. The year between July 2003-2004 was mainly
focused on ‘adjusting to life,’ being able to accept his own
disability having tetraplegia.
 As
close friends and family we shall be fundraising to support
John, particularly when he is offered a new flat by Barnet
Council (www.barnet.gov.uk). John will be able to spend
money from his Spinal Injury
Fund to help support his financial fees and also will help
contribute to his career options.
What are the aims of raising money for John’s Fund?
As close friends and family of John we have decided to raise
money which will be into a fund that will support him for
the future.
John is in need of having a fund to support him whilst
he is on the road to recovering from his accident, after
his ends rehabilitation he will have to organise his own
appointments for occupational therapy, hysiotherapy, and
hospital appointments. Every pound and penny that we raise
will be put towards purchasing high
technical equipment assisting his physiotherapy fees, paying
for much needed medical equipment, for new household appliances
and supporting his housing benefits, amongst other bills.
John on the tilt table to regulate
the flow of blood and move his muscles. |
Lane Fox Ward, St Thomas' Hospital
taken shortly after he had a tracheostomy after
his lungs were blocked with water he needed a lot
of help to breath and basically stay alive.
|
Most of the wiring and injections
connected to him whilst he sleeps in the Lane Fox
Ward, St Thomas' Hospital.
|
For general information or to get involved with the John
McCafferty Spinal Injury Fund please contact Sarah McCafferty
(John’s sister and Fundraising Co-ordinator).
|
