The life of Laura Kelly, a devoted Newcastle teacher, took a sudden turn after injuring her foot during an event, which in turn led to the disintegration of the bones in the arch of her foot.
Laura recounted, “About two years ago, towards the end of 2022, I began experiencing discomfort and pain in my right foot, which worsened over time.”
Being a teacher, constantly on her feet, Laura explained how the pain made her daily duties and even walking increasingly challenging as it intensified.
“Numerous visits to my doctor, physiotherapist and a podiatrist provided no resolution or relief from the pain. I finally sought out the help of an Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in foot and ankle surgery in Pretoria,” Laura explained.
Subsequent X-rays revealed that the bones in the arch of her foot had crumbled. Additionally, Laura found that the tendons on one side had ruptured, and she would need urgent surgery, or she would run the risk of having to have her lower leg amputated.
With this in mind, Laura explained that on 18 March 2024, she underwent the required surgery which involved seeing plates and screws inserted in her foot, and a rod placed in her leg.
While the operation was a success, Laura explained, “Our medical aid has covered some of the expenses, however, a co-payment of R 80 000 for “spare parts” (prosthetic inserts like screws, plates and rods) had to be paid up front before the surgery scheduled for March 2024. We had to borrow the money for this. I have managed to borrow crutches, a walking frame and a shower seat to help keep the costs down as much as possible.”
Following this, Laura and her husband are now faced with covering hidden costs such as fees for the anaesthetist, her moonboot, additional doctor follow-up consultations, and possibly purchasing a knee scooter to assist her when she returns to teaching duties in July.
With a follow-up doctor’s visit due in eight weeks’ time to assess her recovery and another check up earmarked in 12 weeks, Laura and Tom require assistance to cover the accumulated medical costs since the surgery. “My husband and I are both teachers, and things have become a bit tight,” she noted, highlighting the shortfall of approximately R15,000 to R20,000.
Therefore, a BackaBuddy campaign has been initiated to help Laura raise the necessary funds, easing her financial burden.
As Laura Kelly bravely faces the challenges ahead, her resilience and determination shine through. Despite the hurdles she has encountered, her spirit remains unwavering, as she is eager to return to work.
Now, as she turns to the community for support, let us join hands and rally behind this dedicated teacher in her time of need. Together, we can help alleviate the financial burden she faces and ensure she receives the care and assistance she deserves.
To assist Laura through the campaign, Newcastillians can click here ––> Laura Kelly Fund.
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