Imagine if this was your child. Happy, healthy & full of life until one day...
One year ago, Jessica Dunne was a healthy 19 year old that had finished Year 12 at All Saints Anglican School, and was working full time. Last September Jessica’s life, and that of her family, was shattered after Jessica was struck down with The Meningococcal Virus. Jessica spent 3 months in Intensive Care at the Gold Coast Hospital after undergoing a craniotomy to reduce the swelling in her brain. Her prognosis wasn’t good.
But Jessica is a survivor, and while she is still in Robina Hospital, she is on the road to recovery. She still has a tracheostomy and a gastric feeding tube. She has limited movement, can’t eat or speak, but is very aware of her surroundings and communicates with her eyes with yes/no cards.
Jessica’s mum, Karen, has been at Jessica’s side for the last year, and would like to bring Jessica home to rehabilitate her enough that she can be accepted into a rehabilitation program. Karen worked full-time until Jessica’s hospitalization. She spends all day at the hospital giving Jessica physiotherapy and massages. She now works night shift, however, once Jess comes home, Karen will be needed to give 24hour/day care. This means she must go onto a carer’s pension, which is unsustainable, if she is to care for Jess. Karen must also renovate her home to make it suitable for Jess with her disability.
Karen desperately needs the help and support of the Gold Coast Community to able to achieve her goal of making Jessica better. Karen needs the following:
Renovations to her home.
Help with physical therapies with Jessica.
Company for Jessica, if anyone would like to visit and spend time with Jess.
Funds to be able to survive financially until Jessica is rehabilitated.
A car suitable for someone with a disability.
Funds to buy suitable equipment to enable Jessica to come home.
This was the story as reported by Katie Miller on October 20th, 2008 in the goldcoast.com.au website
Deadly Bug Strikes Gold Coast Teen
A TEENAGER is in intensive care in the Gold Coast Hospital after being struck down with the potentially deadly meningococcal bug. Jessica Dunne was in a serious but stable condition yesterday with meningococcal meningitis, or inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by the meningococcus bacterium.
The 19-year-old's mother, Karen Dunne, said Jessica had first gone to a doctor about four weeks ago with viral symptoms and was told to go home to recover. "She went home and the headaches got worse and she got a stiff neck," said Ms Dunne. "The doctor came to the house and diagnosed it as meningitis, swelling of the brain and rang an ambulance."
Jessica was taken to Robina Hospital and later moved to the Gold Coast Hospital when her condition became critical. Gold Coast Hospital registrar Dr Adam Visser said yesterday Jessica's condition was still serious but she was making improvements daily. The All Saints Anglican School 2006 graduate is conscious and has had her eyes open for about the past week. "She's still on a ventilator which is helping her with her breathing but not any other forms of life support," said Dr Visser.
He said Jessica had the B strain of the neisseria meningitidis bacterium, commonly called meningococcus. "The bug can cause two different patterns of illness, one of which is the septicemia which causes septic shock and multi-organ failure and the other pattern of illness is the meningitis," he said.
"Jessica's had just the meningitis and she's never had multi-organ failure." Dr Visser said the intensive care unit more commonly saw meningococcal patients with septicemia, which is classically associated with a red-purple rash. Ms Dunne said Gold Coasters needed to be vigilant when virus-like symptoms appeared. "They can turn into something more serious -- be careful for a stiff neck and major headaches," she said.
Ms Dunne said the past four weeks had been traumatic for the family. "We nearly lost her twice ... so we're not holding up really well," she said. There are generally about 12 to 18 cases of meningococcal disease on the Coast each year. The latest population health statistics showed that there were five local cases in the first half of the year.
Gold Coast Population Health Unit medical officer Dr Don Staines said yesterday meningococcal disease could occur at any time of year but was more common during spring. He said it occurred in people of all ages but the number of cases tended to peak in young people aged up to five and between 15 and 25. Dr Staines warned that even though there was now a vaccination against meningococcal C, other groups could still be circulating.
"Towards the end of the year, particularly after the flu season, meningococcal organisms do circulate and there is a tendency to have more cases between now and Christmas," he said. "We all carry the organism from time to time, there's nothing unusual about that, but what is unusual is if it invades the bloodstream where it can go on to cause the disease that we know of ... and will progress very rapidly."
Dr Staines said locals should be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal, which include the sudden onset of fever, headache, tiredness, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of bright lights, vomiting and nausea.
Dream Workers are helping Karen by organizing everything on Karen’s wish list, but to achieve this, we your need support.
This hospital bed was recently bought for Jess from the generous donations of Gold Coasters supporting this appeal.
This is the computer that will give Jess a voice until she is able to speak to us. It will alter to suit her needs as she improves from eye gaze operation to what ever level Jess achieves. We have to trial 2 different computers to be able to buy the one that is suitable to receive a $5,000.00 grant from the government. the "Erica Eye Gaze System" is the one best for Jess also half the price $15,000.
We have also purchased an oximeter, which will allow Karen to check on Jessica's oxygen levels.
Update on Jessica from Karen 26th August 2009:
Yesterday Jessica and I went to the Gold Coast Hospital to see the ear, nose and throat specialist for her 3 monthly check up to see if the vocal cords were working yet....to my great surprise, they are working!
I was able to see for myself via a small camera inserted through Jessica's nose down her throat and the pictures were relayed onto the screen at the doctors surgery.I was unable to control myself as my tears flowed freely whilst watching the vocal cords move back and forward. Jess shed a tear too, that made me cry more of course.Even the specialist was surprised as 3 months ago there were too many secretions and no real movement.
What does this mean, you may ask?
It means Jessica will be able to have the tracheotomy removed as soon as we build up the strength in her breathing up her throat and through her nose again and we make sure her swallowing reflexes are strong.
This is done slowly with a speech therapist and myself monitoring her breathing and swallowing by deflating a small balloon attached to the trachy in her throat allowing normal function. This balloon stops secretions from falling into her lungs whilst her vocal cords were apart.As soon as we are satisfied that Jessica can manage her own secretions by swallowing properly and breathing well through her nose...out it will come!
* Jess will also be able to eat again and enjoy taste sensations which will in turn stimulate the brain.
* Breathe normally
* Speech can be possible once the brain connections return.
All in all a great day and another step forward.........
love to you all,
from Karen, Jessica, Kelly and Monique xxx
Update on Jessica from Karen 19th September 2009
Hello everyone,
Its nearing the end of September and I have some interesting news for you all about Jessica's progress!
Firstly, let me tell you that Jessica, the speech pathologist and I have been working on removing Jessica's tracheotomy out of her throat this month.This involves putting a coloured food dye into her mouth to see if Jessica's swallow reflexes are strong enough to push her secretions down the right way and not let the secretions drip into her lungs. Some days have been better than others and we are still working on this trialling for tracheotomy removal.
Unfortunately the public health system is short staffed and we cant do this treatment everyday as required. I am notifying the intensive care nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital of Jessica's plight to see if she will come and give Jess a second opinion on the situation. This could give us more assistance from this very experienced nurse in the field of tracheotomy.
I attended a conference last week and was able to meet and talk to a Professor Harry McConnell with 20 years experience as a NeuroPsychiatrist specialising in disability.He has a particular interest in Epilepsy and people with multiple disabilities. The Professor knew of Jess and agreed to go and see her and I the following week.
I showed him Jessica's abilities with movement and awareness and in his opinion Jessica legs and arms should be worked to learn to walk again as he felt Jess has just forgotten how too!
Wow....was I excited.So we discussed how to go about this using cross patterning techniques with her arms and legs on a bed firstly,then getting Jess up on her feet using a frame to lean on and using a head and neck support brace.
I will let you know how this goes as we will probably have to do this at home and not in the hospital due to time limitations for rehabilitation on each patient and the inability of the physio team at the hospital to see the possibility of getting Jess to walk again. Professor McConnell did warn me that it was not for certain but definitely worth a trying to teach Jess to learn to walk!!!!
* Jessica will be having acupuncture to relieve the tightness in her left arm and fingers this week to see if we can reduce the spasticity on her left side.
Also Jess is having metronome sounds( like a ticking clock noise) going into her left ear using an iPod and earpiece to help correct the right side of her brain to enable reduced spasticity in the left hand side of Jessica's body.
* Appointment forthcoming to see a dentist privately outside the hospital system,to give Jess relief from clenching her teeth by using a tens machine on the jaw muscles. This might allow her to open her mouth.
* An appointment has been arranged for me to fly to Melbourne to see a Professor Olver, a neuro rehabilitation specialist at the Epworth Hospital, on Oct 27th.
This visit will enable me to take a video of Jess for the Professor to see and get more ideas and hopefully a programme we can follow for the rehabilitation of Jessica.
*The professor and team at the QLD Brain Institute was unable to be of any assistance.
*A company from Brisbane "Lifetec" did a communication assessment on Jess last week and have assessed her for a eye gaze computer worth $15,000.00.
This will give Jess a voice until hers comes back, and a interest for her to use the internet MSN, Google etc, using her eyes only and can be upgraded to accommodate a mouse device when she is able.The Government will pay $5,000.00 toward to computer. Jess was very interested and really focused for the whole hour when that computer was placed in front of her!
I have arranged for a trial with a loan computer as, requested by the government, to be sent to the hospital on 29th Sept for a 2 week period. If Jess can use it well enough we will buy one for her,with everyone's donated funds.
* I will be looking at 2 different physio therapists this week to see which person has the best repore with Jess and the best ideas on working with her.
* Reiki healing , massage, visitors for company and therapies are all taking place each week.
Funding has been approved by the "Youngcare"organisation to help with money for remodelling of the house and or equipment to the value of $10,000.00
I am still awaiting a reply from the ministers I sent the email to requesting funding to bring Jess home.Our local MP on the Gold Coast called me to see if I had a response and he will now follow it up on my behalf.
I will let you all know how Jess goes with all these treatments being put into practise as soon as possible......thank you, thank you ,thank you everyone
Please go to www.dreamworkers.com.au to see what's new in the way of fundraising events and news on jess.
A special big thank you to Deb Smith from Dreamworkers for all her hard work.
Lots of love and gratitude from Jess, Kelly, Monique and Karen xx
Update on Jessica from Karen October 23rd 2009
Hello everyone,
A lot has happened in the last few weeks with regards to getting Jessica home to live and have the rehabilitation she requires. Firstly I have unofficial notification of a financial funding package that will enable me to have carers and nursing staff come to the house up to 8 hours a day. The money can also be used for therapist, medicines and supplies.This leaves our fundraising money to be spent on rehabilitation equipment. I am presently choosing a recognised service provider by the government to accept the funding and manage it on our behalf for the staffing and payments of items.
A big thank you goes to Genevieve from "Youngcare" whom made the phone call to the right person in the disability funding area of the government and made it happen. I was told there was no money available for funding until 2011.
Renovations will take place on my home as of 26th Oct so that could mean Jess will be home for Christmas!
Jessica has had the Erica Eye Gaze computer to trial but we have had software difficulties in using it. We will have the computer longer to be able to troubleshoot from Sydney and get it right before asking Jess to operate it herself. I will keep you all informed.
The "Mindflex" item has arrived from America, thanks to a relative of mine. this game won toy of the year and not released in Australia yet.
I am looking forward in trying it myself as you wear a headset and you use your mind to focus on a light weight ball and move it upwards and through hoops around the circular game using your mind only.
Great exercise for Jessica's mind if she can master it.!
Carly Deeth, a volunteer physiotherapist, worked on Jess last week and gave her a beautiful massage and then worked on her ankles to gain responses.....and did!
It was very exciting to see Jess focus on her ankles and then see movement on command and then to relax when asked her to. Thanks Carly!
Carol Horrigan,a specialist in complementary therapies also got some great responses in the same area around the feet, ankles and muscles up the leg on Saturday... Carol has worked on these areas on Jess using reflexology and pressure point manipulation. Just shows us that Jes is improving and regaining more and more every day.
Jess is showing more facial movements...even twitching her nose.!
The new tracheotomy placed in Jess Monday last week,has improved Jessica's breathing ability as the last one was too small and made it almost impossible for her to breathe and cough. We are still working hard to have this removed before Jess comes home. As soon a her swallow refex is strong enough we can have it taken out.
In general I will have to say Jessica is looking really well in her face and showing more awareness each day.
A big focus now will be stimulating her brain and getting results which will in turn inspire Jess to try harder and harder as I am sure she will.
Love and thanks to you all xxx
Update on Jessica from Karen 22nd November 2009
Hi family and friends,
It has been a very busy month due to travel to Melbourne to see doctors,moving house whilst the renovations are being done at my home plus lot of wonderful people bringing their expertise to Jessica at the hospital to help her recover.
I had arranged to see 3 doctors in the neurological field of medicine for advice.....
1.Professor John Olver MBBS, MD (Melb), FAFRM (RACP).
Academic Chair of Rehabilitation Medicine. Chairman, Rehabilitation, Psychiatry and Pain Management Clinical Institute.
I spent 11/2 Hours with Professor Olver discussing Jessica and her rehabilitation and his attitude to recovery is just like mine. People like Jess surprise the medical field time and time again...never give up, give people the best rehab you can and watch them progress. The time period for recovery is usually 2 - 5 years then it slows from 5 - 10yrs and can progress again.I discussed all the equipment we are purchasing for Jess and Prof Olver took my brochure on the GIGER MD to show his rehab unit as he was so impressed! All the equipment we are having for Jess is excellent and will give her a great opportunity for recovery ie;, GIGER MD, Eye gaze computer, Pool hoist, sit to stand chair and tilt table.
I was told what we are doing for Jess is better than what any hospital in Australia could provide at this stage of her recovery and he was astounded at the generosity of the Gold Coast community and the support both financially and with the hands on help with rehabilitation.
Prof Olver has offered to be available for advice with our doctor on the Gold Coast and will be kept informed of Jessica's progress via email and video. As soon as Jess shows the ability to benefit from the Epworth Hospital Rehabilitation unit, Jess will go for a 3 month stay under Prof Olver's care.
2. Dr Joan Tierney
Brain Rehabilitation consultant at Kew, Melb.
My consultation with Dr Tierney lead to referrals to the best neuro rehab Physio, Occupational therapist and Speech Therapist in Melbourne. All 3 specialist have offered their support with my team on the Gold Coast. Physiotherapist Margaret Darcy will arrive on the Gold Coast for 2 days, 7th / 8th Dec to train me, physio's,carers and friends and family in the best techniques to use for working with Jessica.
Dr Tierney came to the Gold Coast to meet Jessica and spent 2 days with us showing me useful techniques. This visit was in the doctors own time whilst she was in Queensland on holiday just 1 week after I was in Melbourne.
3. Dr J Joubert, neurologist, Epworth Hospital
Dr Joubert initiated the referral to Prof Olver and I was offered the opportunity to meet with Dr Joubert after my appointments to discuss the outcomes of my visit to Melbourne. Dr Joubert has a daughter at Bond University and will be visiting the Gold Coast soon and will be seeing Jessica when he is here next.My daughter Kelly and Kelly's friend,Tessa were able to put me in touch with this Doctor. (A father of a friend of Tessa's,)
NEWS FLASH.....
Jessica has shown us that she can communicate "NO "by shaking her head from side to side vigorously. This accomplishment happened after our private physio Tina Parker, stretched her hamstring muscle in her legs. Jess's reaction was to pain during that session. The next day I was cleaning her teeth and she shook her head "NO" to me too...
Michael Woods a sports physiologist has been working with Jess this week and showing some interesting movements out of Jessica's limbs and has offered to see Jess regularily. A program will take place for Jess and will require visits to his practise to use rehab equipment. Carly Deeth, physio, has been getting results from Jess using pressure point techniques too. All in all an encouraging week of accomplishments for Jess.
Training of the carer staff has begun at the hospital so we are well trained before going home with Jess. There are 2 appointments for Jess at the Gold Coast Hospital comming up soon. This wednesday Jess will have the feeding tube, from her tummy, changed to a smaller less obtrusive device. On December 1st is the appointment with The Ear, Nose and Throat doctor to see how close we are in getting the tracheotomy out of Jessica's throat.I have managed to find a wonderful Speech Pathologist Jillian Caig,( thanks to Carly) whom was working at the John Flynn Private Hospital. Jillian is due to have a baby in the next few weeks but has offered to work on tracheotomy removal for Jess at our home.
My house is under extensive renovations at the moment as the guys are working so hard to get Jess and I home as soon as possible. Thanks to all the volunteers doing some of the heavy manual labouring work on weekends!
The fundraiser night was a great sucess in everyway possible. The night raised over $30,000.00 which means I can now place a order for the GIGER MD machine form Switzerland.
A detailed report plus pics will be reported on separately.
The fundraiser from the netball carnival raised $11,500.00 to enable the purchase of the eye gaze computer.
Thank you everyone,
love form Karen xx
Update from Karen 30th December 2009
Hello family and friends,
You are probably wondering what has happened to us as I haven't been able to do a news letter for awhile and as you read you will understand why.......
Jessica was discharged from Robina Hospital and into my care at home on the 14th December 2009.
I was able to take Jess home for a few days leading up to discharge to make sure I had everything in place and that I was confident with medicines, equipment and get Jess used to my fabulous carers helping me with Jess for up to 8 hours a day.
The house has been beautifully renovated and styled with ex display furnishings and stunning prints and paintings for the walls. I even have new cutlery,plates, linen and accessories.
Jessica seems to be really relaxed at home and enjoying the peace and quiet.
All has not gone without problems though....I was warned that there would be ups and downs with Jessica's health.
On Wednesday 16th December Jessica coughed a dark substance into the swedish nose ( trachie piece). I called Robina hospital for assistance and I was told Jess was no longer a patient and therefore I had to seek help outside the hospital.
After some thought and advice I called the ambulance and Jess was transported to Gold Coast Hospital and given a blood test and chest x-ray. The test showed an infection on the left lung and Jess was admitted to the respiratory ward at Gold Coast Hospital that afternoon. Antibiotic drip was set up for Jess straight away and we were able to treat the pneumonia before it developed into a serious infection.
Jess had a strong smell from the trachie area for months at Robina hospital and she had been vomiting everyday. This is not acceptable or normal.The dieticians were surprised at the speed the feed was set up for Jess and immediately reduced the speed. Feed time was altered to overnight and the strong odour was the sign of a chest infection. Unfortunately all these problems were not addressed at Robina Hospital and Jess was discharged in an unwell state.
Thankfully Gold Coast hospital have addressed the issues and Jess came home with antibiotics for 5 days and is now recovering. Jess does not need much suctioning and there are less secretions and hardly any coughing of mucus form the chest and the odour from the trachie has gone.
Tilt table is a daily routine for Jessica as is gentle exercise and desensitisation of the mouth area using gentle facial strokes shown to us by the physio from Melbourne.A video of the physiotherapist ,Marg Darcy ,was filmed at the hospital of movement therapies so we don't forget any of the invaluable information shown to us on Jessica whilst here on the Gold Coast for a consultation.
Cuff deflation trials in preparation for tracheotomy removal have ceased due to the chest infection. An appointment with the ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr O'Neil, to check for a commencement will take place with my speech therapist, Melanie Smart, present with us on the 7th January 2010.
Other therapies will begin after the holidays as most people are away and Jess hasn't been well enough anyway.
Jessica is showing more movement with her body and limbs, usually to stretch in the mornings and when she feels like it. The eye gaze computer is with us at home on trial until the 5th Jan. Jess shows an interest in it and tends to open the food page every time. Jess hasn't mastered the computer yet and she hasn't been able to talk to me using this medium. I do need to have some assistance using this piece of equipment, if there is anyone with computer skills willing to help with this please call me at home 55722869.
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year !
I see this New Year as a new begining for Jessica with your help and support, thankyou....
Love from Karen
Update 15th December 2009
Jessica came home from hosital and had her first overnight stay at home last Friday. It all went really well and has allayed Karen's worries about whether she is ready to care for Jessica.
Karen is well prepared and we look forward to the next year to see how Jess is progressing.
The renovations are mostly finished inside, and once the Christmas rush is over, Dream Workers will set to work with the builders and landscapers on renovating the garden for Karen and Jessica. We have a lot of offers of help from volunteers to help with this work.
Once the renovations are completed inside and out we will be holding a BBQ for everyone that has been involved with the renovations to come back and see the job completed.
We will keep you posted on this date.
The house is looking fantastic now that the inside is just about finished. As Karen said, it feels like a whole new start for herself and Jessica on the long road to recovery.
The therapists working on Jess are starting to get some good movement from her, and are really excited with her progress.
Thanks again to everyone that has supported Dream Workers thorugh the renovations and your generosity of time and donations is very much appreciated.
Best Wishes for a wonderful Christmas to you all,
Deb Smith
Article which ran in the Gold Coast Weekend Bulletin, 3rd October 2009
Directors of Vision Personal Training Burleigh Heads Damo Glynn and Paddy Delohery tackle theCanberra Half Ironman to raise Funds for the Dream Workers Charity Appeal to help Jessica.
Hey everyone,
On December 13 this year, Myself and Damo will be jumping out of our comfort zone and competing in the Canberra Half Ironman ( 1.9km swim , 90km bike , 21km run) to inspire clients and to help with Jessica's appeal.
To help with this we have set up a sponsor page and would be greatly appreciative of any donation you could give big or small to support this great cause. Our goal is to raise $15,000.
If you are able to help us, please click here to sponsor us, and all money raised will go towards helping out Jessica and Karen.
If you have any questions on the appeal or would like a copy of our training plan give us a buzz at the studio on: (07)55767235
Yours in the community
Paddy Delohery
Southport Carrara Netball Carnival Review
Click here for a full report and photo's from this great day, in which $11,500 was raised for Jessica
You Tube video's of Jessica's progress
Click here to see the video of Jess on her new Giger machine - kindly bought with your generous donations.
Click here to see a video of Jess learning to hold up her head.
Click here to see Jess going up on her tilt table.
Renovation Photo's
Click here to see all the before and after photo's from the renovations.
What started as a basic renovation to allow Jess to come home from hospital soon became the entire house with the generous offer that we received from businesses in the Community to lend a hand.
The main areas that we needed to renovate were the bathroom, which had to become wheelchair accessible - this meant the entire bathroom had to be redone. We were also asked to redesign Jessica's bedroom for someone with a wheelchair, and we needed to build an extension for Jess to have a therapy room.
Renovations are still continuing into this year as we start on the outside of the house.
Thank you for the generosity provided by the following sponsors:
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