Ben’s Story

Ben spent 6 months in hospital, and countless more moving between temporary accommodation while he was in rehab.  

“[In recovery], you’re learning all sorts of wheelchair things- how to get around, how to go to the bathroom, how to sleep. There’s a lot more that comes with a spinal injury other than not walking. It was pretty tough.” 

Unfortunately, Ben’s spinal injury was not the only challenge he would face in recovery. 

Just months after Ben’s accident, his partner Simone suffered a stroke while 12 weeks pregnant. 

“The paramedics said, ‘Don’t expect the baby to live through this.’” 

After a 10-year fertility journey and 16 miscarriages, their miracle baby Rylee was born. 

Now 14 months old, long awaited baby Rylee is the centre of Ben and Simone’s universe.   

“As a ‘wheelchair dad’, my greatest wish was simply to get down into the backyard and play with my son” 

But their home wasn’t accessible. There were 14 steps down to the yard, muddy patches, and carpets that made it impossible for Ben to move freely. 

“The only option was a lifetime of Ben never being able to see his son play in the backyard,” -Simone.

That’s when Youngcare stepped in.

Thanks to generous donors like you, Youngcare helped fund the vital modifications the family needed, from accessible flooring to a concrete path into the backyard. 

“One little thing can just change everything. It was life-changing,” says Ben.  

Now, Ben can blow bubbles in the backyard with Rylee and their puppy, instead of watching from the sidelines.  

“Rylee is a big backyard boy. We were extremely grateful when Youngcare came along and helped us out.” 

“Being able to be amongst it instead of sitting on the deck waving- it warms my heart.”

A brighter future

Ben and Simone credit Youngcare with giving them “a light at end of the tunnel”, and hope when the odds were stacked against them.  

“When you’ve been through so much, it takes one straw to break the camel’s back.”  

“These grants change lives. It’s not just a floor or a path. It’s the little things that stop you from losing hope. We’re here today because of Youngcare.” 

In the future Ben is looking forward to enjoying ‘dad life’ and tackling his next goal, returning to driving. 

“The only way is up from now.”