Community rallies for Ipswich dad Lee Chapman after ‘freak accident’

An Ipswich dad is facing a long road to recovery after a “freak accident” saw him fall headfirst through a patio roof, leaving him incapacitated with a broken neck.

The Ipswich community is rallying behind a father-of-three who was involved in a “freak” workplace accident which left him with a broken neck and in need of around-the-clock care.

Self-employed builder Lee Chapman is understood to have been working at a building job on August 5 when he fell through a patio roof, landing headfirst and breaking the C5 bone in his neck.

Ipswich dad Lee Chapman.

Doctors initially thought he would need surgery but opted for a halo brace, which he has had to wear for several months, and intensive physiotherapy.

“Thankfully the damage from the fall only resulted in the bone fracture and he should make a full but long recovery,” Mr Chapman’s wife Kylie Kadir said.

“He is now home with us and slowly getting around the house. Constantly keeping up with the pain medication, resting, and finding the best way to sleep and live life with a halo.”

A friend of Kylie and Lee’s family, Ashlie Salgueiro, created a GoFundMe to help cover the medical costs they now faced as Lee was self-employed and would be out of work for a long time.

“This has put significant strain on their family, as Kylie will be required to care for him and the three kids as well as attend medical appointments whilst trying to support the family,” she wrote in the GoFundMe.

The Chapman family. Picture: GoFundMe

More than $2700 has been raised of Ms Salgueiro’s $5000 goal in a matter of weeks.

Ms Kadir thanlked everyone who had supported their family.

“We’re so humbled by the amount of support we have received from you all, from setting up this (GoFundMe) page, to making a donation, to helping around the house, cooking us meals, dropping off groceries, mowing the lawn, helping with the kids, reaching out via phone, Facebook or sending cards,” she said.

“Thank you all so much.”