Editor's Note

Hi Everyone,

Almost five months ago, two dear friends faced an unimaginable tragedy when one of them fell from a tree, resulting in the loss of the use of his legs. Since that moment, the other has been by his side every single day—struggling with him, crying with him, and celebrating even the smallest victories, sometimes laughing as the days begin to get easier.

Many of you in the community know Tim and Norina. They’re long-time locals and the proud owners of WhitPro. For the past five years, our office has been located on their property in Woodwark, so seeing them both was a part of our daily lives.

Since the accident, they’ve had to relocate to the rehabilitation centre at Townsville Hospital, and we all miss them deeply. Out of respect for their journey, we gave them the time they needed to be ready to share their story. Though we’ve all been asked repeatedly about Tim’s wellbeing by concerned members of the community, we wanted to wait until they felt prepared to go public.

Three weeks ago, the time came. I visited them in Townsville, and as I walked through the entrance, I tried to hold back tears. But I needn’t have worried, because Norina bounced toward me with her familiar energy, and I immediately felt at ease.

Seeing Tim was wonderful. He is active, determined in his recovery, and navigating a new path with resilience. He cracked his signature inappropriate jokes—only ones he could get away with—and we laughed, and yes, there were some soothing tears too.

The big message from both of them is this: every day is a challenge. Yes, there are setbacks, but there are also small wins. Family is everything. Life is everything. And they are strong because they are together.

Please take a moment to read their story on page 4, and scan the QR code to sign the petition. It’s a crucial step in lobbying for continued funding for specialist spinal care at Townsville Hospital.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “All it takes is all you’ve got” (Marc Davis)

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