Sandy's Story

Tell us a little about you and your family (e.g. are you married, how many children, approximate age group)

It took nine long years of fertility assistance to complete our family of two children. My first pregnancy came after four long years; I had my daughter Piper at 26 weeks. Suddenly she passed away in my arms at two weeks. I then was blessed with another daughter Laci at 31.4 weeks – she is now almost 7. I then had a miscarriage. Finally, I had a little boy Griffin at 30 weeks who just turned three years old. At age 33, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy due to many complications when Griffin was 11 months old.

Tell us the details of your situation at the moment.

Griffin was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy officially at 12 months old, though we knew from about 5 months (we are both registered nurses). Laci was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD. I myself have a back and nerve damage from the epidural from Griffin’s caesarean (5 missed attempts). I also suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I also have chronic pain and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Tell us about about the hardship you and your family are currently facing because of your situation?

The biggest hardship is my inability to lift my son due to my chronic pain and extreme fatigue. I have carers in my home 5 days a week helping me try to meet my children’s needs. Griffin especially needs intensive physiotheraphy, has a gastrostomy feeding button, has a lot of pain and sleeps very little.

Do you have insurance (both inside and outside superannuation)?

No, we don’t have insurance – we we only have our superannuation.

If you were talking to someone who was about to go through a similar experience to you, what advice would you give them?

Never be afraid to ask for help. Yes, it means you may need to have ‘strangers’ in your home or have to see a counsellor etc. But it is all worth it. Soon enough, they are not just helpers, but friends. Sometimes you have to realise that you can’t just do it all yourself!

How is Zurich helping Sandy now?

Thanks to Zurich, each mum will receive a $1250 EFTPOS card to buy anything from Christmas presents, to groceries, or even to pay the bills.

A personal message from Sandy:

I was over the moon to find out that I was selected to receive a helping hand from Zurich. I have problems with overheating, especially with sweats due to pain and early menopause. This money will allow me to get a ceiling fan installed in my bedroom. I am also going to purchase a bench-top dishwasher (we are renting) as I find it very difficult to stand long enough to wash the dishes. The remainder of the money, of course, will be for the children this Christmas.

Now take a minute to consider your own family.

Just like every mum that we’ll read about in this promotion, the unexpected could happen to you or your family.

Use the next 3 minutes to consider what would happen to your family if an unexpected accident or sudden death happened tomorrow! And then imagine if you could be prepared?