Mum who had leg amputated after breaking her ankle
A mum is appealing for help for medical equipment after she was forced to have part of her leg amputated after breaking her ankle on her back door step.
Bec Reid’s life changed forever when she had a fall and broke her ankle in what doctors described as ‘spectacularly’.
The 43-year-old is now appealing for help on her My Cause page to help raise money for equipment to help her live.
After the accident Bec said: “It just went numb and all floppy and my kids were telling me 'just stand up' and I couldn’t’,” reports Daily Mail Australia.
A friend who set up the page describes Bec’s situation since the accident: “ Circumstances beyond her control have presented her with the most unimaginable challenges in life, yet she is always smiling, her boys are always first and she leaves herself always last.
“The past 13 months have been ABSOLUTELY horrendous!!
"First breaking an ankle stepping out the back door due to a loose brick, then having multiple operations to rectify to then months later of infections and more operations to now having had to face an amputation.
“In addition the trauma of so many operations has created a clot on her lungs that is inoperable.
“Bec has not been able to work and will probably never be able to work again.
“She has tried several times for a pension, however has been declined each time.
“We can help take some of the burden, by supporting her to financially purchase equipment that will help her become mobile and retain her independence.”
After going into hospital to get her ankle fixed Ms Reid developed a Golden Staph infection, which soon led to blood clots in her heart and lungs.
She had been wearing a moon boot but due to it rubbing her wounds it would not heal and became infected.
The single mum was then forced to stay in hospital for five weeks where the metal work was removed as the infection was moving to her bone, reports DMA.
Ms Reed said that amputation was discussed during that stay in hospital and she was devastated.
She said: “I couldn't believe a broken ankle could come to having amputation.”
After having the amputation and surviving her ordeal the mum now has to deal with the consequences and trying adjust to the disability.
DMA reports that Ms Reed is not eligible for an 'invalid pension' from Centrelink and since she left hospital two weeks ago, she hasn't had any support financially.
Despite the change and devastation the mum of three is trying to put a positive spin on her harrowing experience.
She said: “Even though I'm devastated - I think this might be my new calling, to start an organisation and help people in similar situations.”
Morning news break – May 3
