Kathy’s ongoing quest for support workers to ensure her continued independence

A life-changing horse riding accident three years ago that led to Kathy Gurney sustaining quadriplegia hasn’t diminished her love of horses.

In fact, ahead of Spinal Injuries Awareness Week (6-12 November), the Banana resident said she loves the animals even more and still feeds her horses every day on the property she shares with her husband Len, despite facing the ongoing challenges of the permanent injury and trying to find long-term personal care support.

Describing the split second that changed her entire life demonstrates that a simple action can have irreversible consequences.

“Len and I were over in Broome and helping out on a cattle station that we were visiting for a day,” Kathy said.

“I was on a horse that was walking slowly behind the cattle when suddenly it shied away violently.

“I lost my balance and was half hanging off the horse, trying to get back up. The horse’s natural reaction of course was to get this thing off that was hanging off it and I fell.”

While Kathy had a helmet on, the force of her head hitting the ground led to her spinal cord being damaged at the C5/C6 level (there are seven vertebrae in the neck – C1 to C7).

“I tried to reach for my two-way radio and couldn’t – I knew straight away that I was paralysed,” she said.

It would be another 16 hours by the time Kathy arrived in Perth after being transported by ambulance and then by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She was conscious the entire time.

After seven weeks, Kathy was flown to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Spinal Injuries Unit – the only Spinal Injuries Unit in Queensland – where she spent the next seven months rehabilitating.

“It was the best feeling in the world to come home to Banana again,” Kathy said.

Her affinity with the bush is obvious when she speaks about her love of the land and her animals.

It is this love that keeps her and Len living on their property, but which is becoming increasingly difficult as Kathy requires Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to assist her each day. Finding ongoing support staff is an enormous challenge.

“Given the physical challenges of having quadriplegia and using a wheelchair, I require support workers from 7am-11am each morning and 6pm-8.30pm each evening, as well as several ad hoc hours during the week for doctors’ appointments,” Kathy said.

“Ideally I require three support workers, as well as several standby PSWs, because without them I’m unable to live as independently as I would like.”

With her husband working full-time, Kathy said it was important for her to be able to get out and about in the community, with the assistance of her support workers and not have to stay at home.

“Having quadriplegia hasn’t stopped me from accessing my property – I get out in my all-terrain power wheelchair and feed the animals each day – I love it,” she said.

Spinal Injuries Association Chief Executive Officer Bruce Milligan said the organisation had 500 PSWs throughout Queensland, but it was often difficult to fill roles in regional areas.

“Particularly in Kathy’s case, she lives close to the Central Queensland mining sector, where people tend to be attracted more to larger salaries.

“Being a Personal Support Worker is an immensely rewarding job – some clients describe their support workers as being as integral to their lifestyle as their wheelchair.

“We always have plenty of opportunities available to join our Association as a PSW, and best of all, prior experience is not essential as fully paid training is provided.

“Reliability, good communication skills and your own phone and transport are essential to this position.

“Duties include personal support, meal preparation, domestic and medication assistance, passive exercise and community access.”

With her friendly, easygoing nature, Kathy said her PSWs allowed her to be at home with her husband and have her children and grandchildren close by.

“For the right person, the role of a Personal Support Worker is incredibly satisfying and allows people to work in the mornings or early evenings – it’s a great job that offers fantastic flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to my support workers and make sure we have a good working relationship.”

Visit this page for more information about becoming a Personal Support Worker for Kathy or other PSW opportunities available at the Association, please phone the Association’s Recruitment team on 07 3391 2044 or email psprecruit@spinal.com.au.