A Coast family hopes their dream of having specialist treatment on their doorstep can win the funding support it needs to become a reality.
Gary Madden’s family does a 150km trek just to see their loved one as he struggles to find appropriate accommodation any closer than Springfield, west of Brisbane.
They are among the 180 Coast families in need of care options suitable for Mr Madden’s multiple sclerosis needs.
Mr Madden, 64, has been living with the condition for 29 years.
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His children Amy and Steven Madden have young children and demanding jobs, and his 91-year-old mother Fay is unable to travel on her own, meaning family visits are rare.
Amy said the commute had been incredibly hard.
“If dad lived on the Sunshine Coast, he would be able to get into a maxi-taxi in his wheelchair and visit his mum and be a part of his grandchildren’s lives,” Amy said.
“Dad doesn’t have a choice about everything that has been taken from him because he has MS, but he should have the choice about where he lives.
“There’s no cure for MS but there is a cure for living too far away.”
MS Queensland has launched a fundraising campaign, the Best Life Project, which will support the build of 12 specialist, independent-living apartments in Chancellor Park.
But their fundraising efforts still have a way to go.
The charity has raised $564,171 of their $1 million target.
All funds donated will go towards the build of the $7.5 million apartments as well as purchasing all the specialist items needed for residents to move in.
Contact MS Queensland on 1800 841 922 or visit msqld.org.au/bestlife to donate.