Family asks for community support to help Sandy Allan’s long road to recovery

Eight months after cheating death on a Queensland highway, a Wondai mum could finally be heading home. See her amazing story of recovery from horrific injuries and her family’s quest to get her home.

Beloved Wondai shop owner Sandy Allan was involved in a horrific head-on car accident on the Bunya Highway which severed her spinal cord and left her paralysed from the neck down on January 8, 2022.

Mrs Allan was airlifted from Kingaroy to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane where she received emergency surgery on her neck injuries and was placed on breathing support.

Mrs Allan said she has been at the PA hospital since January and is undergoing rehabilitation at their spinal ward.

“The staff at the PA have been trying to get me stable, leaving at the end of September is looking like a possibility,” she said.

“My family have been very involved in this journey, they have been coming from all over Queensland to visit me,” she said.

Sandy Allan at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Mrs Allan’s children, Kristy Howarth and Daniel McMahon, created a Go Fund Me page, The Care for Nan Project, with the aim of supporting Sandy and family members helping care for her.

Mr McMahon said the project was an idea floated during one of his family’s dinner table discussions, brainstorming how they could provide a way for people who couldn‘t be physically present to help.

Wondai shop owner Sandy Allan was involved in a horrific head-on car accident on the Bunya Highway which severed her spinal cord and left her paralysed from the neck down.

“There was a period of many weeks where we didn‘t know if our mother would survive and were faced daily with the possibility of having to make those medical decisions you’re never really prepared for,” he said.

“Every family member used every physical, intellectual and emotional resource at their disposal to love her with all they had.”

Sandy Allan undergoes rehabilitation at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane

“It’s taken eight months, but Sandra can now lift her arms to shoulder height, move objects with her wrists and is beginning to see evidence of index finger movement on one hand.”

The Care for Nan Project has raised $2340 of their $28,400 goal which is the estimated cost of Sandy’s medical expenses, accommodation for family to visit her and future medical care.

Mrs Allan said she owned a vintage clothing shop, Nan-Made, in Wondai which unfortunately closed shortly after the accident.

“People would come in and pick from a range of vintage materials and I would make them one-off pieces myself, the shop closed after the accident as I no longer have use of my hands,” she said.

Sandy Allan in her Wondai clothing shop 'Nan Made'

Mr McMahon said Sandy was best known for her creative expression and love of yesteryear.

“She is a vibrant, energetic, creative person who loved to share her passions with like-minded souls,” she said.

“For many years, Sandy would facilitate the collection of toys and clothing for underprivileged children, she would personally oversee up to 60 pallets per year of clothes and toys that would be shipped and distributed through Not-For-Profit agencies.

“Armed with her active and creative mind, compassion for others and the ability to communicate and co-ordinate others, she is looking forward to a future where she is able to continue to love and support those facing hardship - to let them know that they are not alone.”

For nearly eight months Sandy’s family have shouldered the burden of these expenses, her children hope this is a practical solution to covering some of these costs.

If you can donate to The Care for Nan Project please follow the link: Care for Nan Project