Mission to help other ICU patients

For Kallangur grandmother Jane Brooks, a fall while putting out the rubbish resulted in life-threatening injuries and a complex recovery.

It was an experience which led the retired nurse to a new vocation: involvement in intensive care research funded by Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital.

On Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day, August 29, Jane will share her story of determination and resilience at the GKS Law fundraising lunch. Her mission is to raise money for medical research.

“I love the feeling that I am ‘giving back’ and I will forever be indebted to the wonderful life-saving care I received at Redcliffe Hospital,” Jane says.

“As a former Infection Control Practitioner, I believe research is one of the most important ways we can move forward into improving patient outcomes.”

Every Giving Day donation received will be doubled by Giving Day Impact Partners, such as GKS Law. Donate via the website.

The event is a partnership between the RBWH Foundation and Redcliffe Hospital, supporting research, staff wellbeing and patient care initiatives that fall outside the scope of government funding.

Also speaking at the Belvedere Hotel lunch will be award-winning journalist and author Hedley Thomas. His podcast The Teacher’s Pet investigated the disappearance of Sydney mother Lynette Dawson in 1982 and led to her husband being found guilty of her murder.

GKS Law Managing Director Jodie Anderson-Bell says the lunch is an opportunity to raise spirits and funds for such an important cause.

“As a business in Redcliffe, GKS Law has many clients who work at the hospital or are treated at the hospital and, at times, our team and their families receive treatment through the Redcliffe Hospital,” Jodie says.

“The core values of our firm are to help people to improve their lives, for example, by navigating them through their first home purchase, by assisting them to ensure their affairs are in order, to assist them through the legal process following a loved one’s passing.

“These can be very challenging times for our clients and we see an alliance with the values of Raise it for Redcliffe in improving a patient’s and their family’s experience during a challenging time.”

To learn more about the lunch or to book tickets, email [email protected]

Road to recovery

For Jane, recovery continues. The grandmother of four still has no memory of the accident.

It is believed she tripped on a garden hose, falling 10m down her steep driveway where she was found unconscious by a pizza delivery driver.

“The first thing I remember after taking a bag of rubbish to the bin, was a beautiful voice saying to me “Oh! Good morning, Jane, we were hoping you’d wake up today,” Jane recalls.

“Ten days had passed. Ten horrible days for my family who were told I had around a five per cent chance of survival.”

Jane had suffered internal injuries and multi-organ sepsis. She also developed double pneumonia, kidney failure and required breathing support.

The worst impact was a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) called Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Jane is now using her experience as a patient to enhance intensive care unit (ICU) research at Redcliffe Hospital.

“One of the very best things to have come out of this entire horrid experience is the chance to work as a Peer Support Leader in the Post ICU program,” Jane says.

The program is one of several Co-Design Research Internship Programs (CRISP) funded at Redcliffe Hospital, thanks to Giving Day.

“My responsibilities lay mainly around running a Facebook page. I also speak to former patients, and their families if needed. We meet for a coffee or speak over the phone,” Jane explains.

“My husband Tim is also involved in this, as the family experience is far different from the patients but can be as (if not more) traumatic.

“I owe so much to Redcliffe Hospital. I know I am helping people and ‘making a difference’.”

To get involved in Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital, visit the website to donate or fundraise.

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day will feature community radio 99.7 Bridge FM onsite at the hospital, bake sales, plant sale, sausage sizzle, spin the wheel for prizes, ping pong tournament and surprises. Follow on Facebook for updates.