A Penrith family are trying to make their home more accessible for their wheelchair-bound teenager as an important milestone approaches.
Tracey and George Pellatt are parents to 19-year-old Bradley, who has cerebral palsy and lennox gastaut epilepsy, rendering him completely dependent on his family and carers.
George will turn 50 on December 12, and Tracey said she hopes to relieve financial pressures as part of the special occasion.
“George is a dedicated father who loves his son very much and will do anything for Bradley,” Tracey said.
“With the cost-of-living, being on one income, it makes life very difficult, especially on medications and all Brad’s needs.”
A fundraiser has been started for the family, and they plan to use funds to improve drainage and accessibility to Bradley’s bathroom and install a ramp on the back verandah for yard access and a fire exit.
They also hope to purchase a defibrillator, which Tracey says is a necessity as Bradley’s health deteriorates and unexpected hospital visits become a regular occurrence.
“We’ve had numerous hospital ICU admissions this year and last year,” Tracey said.
“Four times in the last 12 months from October ’23 to October ’24 Bradley has had to be put on life support due to his respiratory conditions with his lung disease and getting aspiration pneumonia.”
Tracey and George lost their oldest son, Jordan, in 2017 at 17-years-old to complications with the same health conditions as Bradley.
You can donate to the family at their GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-celebrate-george-a-dedicated-father-and-backbone-of.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.