In 2016, 17-year-old Joshua Dunford was assaulted at school causing a brain bleed, which resulted in an acquired brain injury (ABI). Joshua was discharged from hospital into the care of his parents Carl and Eileen at the family home, with his younger brothers Brook, 11 and one-year-old Cooper. Carl and Eileen took on carers’ roles, but juggling full-time work and a busy family life proved more challenging than they’d anticipated. Limited government-funded care was simply not meeting Joshua’s needs. Joshua was struggling with stress brought on by worrying about the burden his parents were bearing, and this hindered improvement in his condition. It was clear more help was needed, to get some extra attendant care, and some much-needed respite for the family, if they were going to be able to continue to have Joshua at home – which is what they all wanted. This is where JMB Foundation stepped in.
The Foundation has been able to fund respite care, additional attendant care hours, and in the last 12 months, extra physiotherapy as well, and it has helped Joshua enormously. He has progressed from being anxious and feeling like a burden on his family, to actively participating in programs and groups such as STEPS – an organisation that runs social programs for young people in similar situations to Joshua. On a practical and physical level, extra physiotherapy has had significant benefits. When Joshua was discharged, he was unable to stand without support. He can now stand independently, for up to five minutes, and his physiotherapist and family are optimistic that in time, he will walk again.
It’s thanks to our generous donors that JMBF has been able to help Joshua with funding that has enabled him to receive the care he needs at home where he’s comfortable, and given the family the support they need.
We are very grateful for groups who host events such as Waverley Bridge Club, and Carey Grammar with the JMB Cup in August, which together with wonderfully generous donations from other organisations and individuals, enable the Foundation to make grants available to young Australians, like Joshua, who really need our assistance. With your help, we can – and do – make a positive difference to their care, comfort and quality of life.
Joshua Dunford
