A tragic accident 10 years ago has paved the way for one Roleystone resident to give back to those who need help at a time of unfathomable pain and trauma.
Life, as the Knapp family knew it, changed forever in 2009 when their son Dwayne was driving on Tonkin Highway and his car veered off the road straight into a tree.
He wasn’t expected to survive and spent six weeks in Royal Perth Hospital intensive care unit, of which five of those weeks were spent on life support.
His mother, Sharon Knapp, said he was just 21 at the time of the accident.
“Apart from breaking nearly every bone in his body, he has rods and plates everywhere, he also lost both his legs in an effort to save his life,” she said.
“He received multiple bags of blood to keep him alive, suffered a brain haemorrhage and endured 13 operations within those six weeks.”
After his long recovery, both at hospital and back at home, Mrs Knapp said she started searching for some way to give back wherever she could.
She stumbled across Intensive Crew, a Perth-based not-for-profit organisation, which raises funds and awareness for the Intensive Care Foundation.
Mrs Knapp has been involved with Intensive Crew for the past seven years and is now calling on others to get behind the organisation and help others in need.
“We put together packs for children who might have a parent, sibling or family member in ICU as it can be a very frightening experience for them,” she said.
“We have been able to get hold of some little comic books that have been written by an ICU doctor which explain what is actually happening, but on a child’s level, and have teamed that up with a nice soft, comfortable toy for them.”
Mrs Knapp said the organisation also collects soft blankets and items such as tea, coffee, biscuits and essential oils to give to those who are reaching the end of their life at hospital and for the family members who may be sitting with them.
“We don’t need the thanks,” she said.
“We just leave the donations with the medical staff to give out to the people who they feel need it.”
To donate email info@intensivecrew.com.au or visit the website.
