Geelong’s Brooke Williams, 31, prepares for leg amputation after painful 12 year journey

A Geelong woman has told of the “living nightmare” she has endured following a devastating car accident that will result in the amputation of her leg, aged just 31.

Geelong woman Brooke Williams is preparing to have her leg amputated. Photo: Supplied

A Geelong woman has told of the “living nightmare” she endured following a devastating car accident that will result in the amputation of her leg, aged just 31.

Brooke Williams, from Norlane, is preparing for specialist surgery that will remove her leg below-the-knee after a 12-year battle with chronic pain.

She was involved in a car wreck as a teenager while living in Adelaide which required eight surgeries at the time “just to save it”.

“I then had golden staph, then I got a bone infection and it has just been hell since,” she said.

“I have lived with chronic pain everyday for 12 years.”

After recently moving to Geelong in April, her worst fears were again realised when she suffered another infection in the leg.

Brooke Williams has endured a painful 12 years. Photo: Facebook.

“It has been a difficult time,” she said.

“The staph infection has caused some damage to my foot, because I had it for so long.

“I am at the point now where I just can’t imagine going through all this again in say five years.

“I am over it.”

The Aboriginal well-being officer, who is unable to stand for longer than an hour at a time, said after consulting with her surgeon the decision was made to amputate.

A recent CAT scan showed she was also suffering from severe chronic arthritis in her ankle and heal.

The surgery is covered by Medicare and her prosthetic will be paid for by the NDIS, but the associated medical costs and time off work was “a very daunting thought”, Ms Williams said.

“This is the first time in my life I’ve ever asked for help,” she said.

“And I’m not going to lie, I’m scared.”

Ms Williams has started a fundraising page to assist with expenses outside of the procedure, and is also planning a silent online fundraiser through 32 auctions.

She has contacted “probably 100 companies this week” asking them to donate products that can be auctioned off “so people can get something in return.”

Ms Williams is asking for assistance to help cover expenses following the amputation. Photo: Supplied.

“There will be a lot of medications (to pay for), I am not eligible for income protection and I will need some time off work (unpaid),” she said.

“I don’t come from money and I’m the only person in my family that works, so it is tough but the community has already been very supportive.”

Asked about the prospect of living as an amputee, Ms Williams’ response was emphatic.

“I’m kind of excited, if I’m being really honest,” she said.

“The quality of life I’m going to have after the amputation is better than what I have got now.

“I’m scared, I’m not going to lie, but my workplace has been so supportive and I know I can get through this.”

Originally published as Geelong’s Brooke Williams, 31, prepares for leg amputation after painful 12 year journey