Family’s bid for care relief

By Shaun Inguanzo
ANUSHKA Fernandes is eight years old but is wheelchair bound and suffers from severe epileptic fits.
Her bulky, yet necessary wheelchair is the only form of mobility Anushka has, but lifting it in and out of the family car is fast becoming back-breaking work for her parents Wilma and Joseph Fernandes.
The family is now appealing for the community, including individuals, disability services, and businesses, to help them gather enough funds for a people-mover van with full customisations that will safely fit Anushka without the need to remove her from the wheelchair.
Anushka suffers from the rare West syndrome which is developed within the early months of a child’s life.
It results in severe epilepsy and its sufferers, including Anushka, also carry intellectual disabilities.
Her mother Wilma, 37, said the family had estimated it needed about $60,000 to purchase a people-mover van and have it customised for Anushka’s wheelchair.
When asked if State of Federal Government funding was available, Mrs Fernandes told the Star that funding criteria did not cater for purchasing vans.
Mrs Fernandes said Anushka’s wheelchair weighed 26 kilograms and was a burden to lift in and out of the family station wagon.
Mrs Fernandes said the van would ensure the family’s wellbeing as well as Anushka’s.
“If we were to be injured while doing this, then who is going to look after us?” she said.
Anushka requires total care 24 hours a day and the only respite Mrs Fernandes gets is when Anushka is at Glenallen School.
Beyond that, Mrs Fernandes said the family only receives about 15 hours of in-house respite care each year. Family and friends have already rallied around the Fernandes and organised a fundraising event for this Saturday night.
Anushka’s uncle, Wilson Fernandes, said the event was open to the public and would be a night of entertainment, food and dance for a cover charge of $15.
The Charity Nite Out will be held at Gaelic Park Hall in Perry Road, Keysborough.
Bookings can be made by calling 0400 051 204.
To donate or offer support to the Fernandes, contact Wilma Fernandes on 0402 326 756, or 8502 7689.