The campdraft community is rallying behind 23-year-old Taelor Toomey, who has a long road to recovery after suffering traumatic head injuries in a fall a fortnight ago.
Within three days of setting up crowdfunding, $20,000 was raised and the tally is currently sitting at just under $37,000.
“It is really humbling,” said Taelor’s mother, Bronwyn Toomey. “Clay Cini, Danielle Smith and Jody Challacombe have been amazing.”
The three friends set up the fundraiser through Youcaring.com under Taelor’s name as well as an Advent Calendar that sells donated products promoted through Facebook (www.facebook.com/taelorsfund).
“When I had the lows and lows last week, when you are on your knees and you just want to know why, it is the community behind you.”
Mrs Toomey, husband Dominic and Taelor’s partner Clane Dunne have been by Taelor’s side at the Royal Brisbane Hospital’s high dependency unit since the accident on November 17.
Taelor was walking a young mare at the Dunne’s property at Springsure when it reared in the air and Taelor fell on her head.
What happened next has spurred Mrs Toomey, who hails from Charters Towers, to call for better health services in central Queensland.
Rockhampton’s rescue helicopter could not be sent out because of bad weather and the RFDS could not land because the Springsure airport lacked lights.
Instead, an ambulance was sent from Springsure and Taelor, who had been unconscious by this time for four-and-a-half hours, was intubated and stabilised on the side of the road on the way to Emerald.
She flew out of Emerald after midnight, arrived at the Royal Brisbane Hospital after 2.30am and had her first scan by 4am.
If the rescue helicopter or RFDS had been able to land, she could have been in Brisbane by 11pm.
“After this I am going to do more for regional communities seeking access to emergency treatment,” Mrs Toomey said. “We need to be better equipped with this sort of trauma.
“I am not saying the wait could exacerbated her condition, but as a mother, those hours ticking by and just waiting…”
Mrs Toomey has nothing but praise, however, for staff who have gone beyond the call of duty, particularly Tony Huckley who took the first emergency call and has remained with them every step of the way.
Taelor regained consciousness after several days, but has bleeding on the brain and there is no treatment.
“We are in stalling and waiting. We won’t know the severity until three months and this is just the way of traumatic brain injury.”
She has no neck function and is unable to swallow, “but we know Taelor and we know that’s her in there and she’s scared and frustrated because she can’t communicate”.
She can, however, smile at jokes.
Her health is not stable enough to start rehab and she will remain in HDU until at least the New Year.
“You wouldn’t expect to start a marathon with a broken leg and this is the marathon of her life. She has the tenacity and fight.”
Campdraft Central’s Clay Cini said businesses have been extremely generous in making donations for the Advent Calendar.
The concept is that each day until Christmas Eve, a donated item will be sold, and on the first day a saddle from Hansen Saddlery sold within 30 minutes to Pam Pritchard, Ravenswood, Charters Towers, for $3300.
“We have over 30 suppliers and have been operating for only four days,” Mr Cini said.
“If we can sell everything we have at cost, we can raise over $30,000, so with that and online donations with Youcaring.com, it’s incredible.”
Mr Cini spoke to Queensland Country Life on Tuesday, when donations were sitting at just under $28,000. The donations are continuing to climb.
Other fundraising events have been organised, including one on Saturday, December 12, when champion cutter John Brekelmans will host an event at his indoor arena near Gracemere.
To donate an item valued at least $500 to the Advent Calendar, contact Mr Cine on 0488 258 322.
All details can be found on Facebook.
