Fundraiser for Landsborough man Chris Brace’s modified disability vehicle

A Sunshine Coast man’s former life was snatched from him in a single moment but the ex-FIFO worker has defied his one per cent survival odds and now needs one thing for a more joyous existence.

Christopher Brace has been left housebound after he was struck by a car in Maroochydore in 2019. Picture: Contributed

A Landsborough man who was left with life altering injuries is hoping to improve his quality of life through a made for purpose car.

Christopher Brace’s life changed forever after he was struck by a car while walking along Aerodrome Rd at Maroochydore on January 6, 2019.

The former FIFO worker was rushed to the Royal Brisbane Intensive Care Unit due to his horrific injuries which included a traumatic brain injury.

Specialists gave him a one per cent chance of survival, according to his father David Brace.

The then 21-year-old spent 18 days in intensive care in Brisbane followed by several months in hospital.

David Brace and his son Chris Brace before the crash. Picture: Facebook

Mr Brace and his son Chris at the beach in the years after the accident. Picture: Facebook

Chris later spent 13 months of rehab at the Brighton Brain Injury Service Facility and was left completely blind, unable to walk and has difficulties communicating.

The Landsborough man, who was an avid outdoor lover with passions for surfing, fishing and four wheel driving, was left housebound.

Several years on, Mr Brace said a purpose-built vehicle for his now 26-year-old son would be a “game changer” for his quality of life.

Chris suffered horror injuries in 2019.

“There’s a minimal amount of people other than his mum and myself who can actually transfer him in and out of vehicles, which restricts Chris from going out and engaging in the community, and doing normal things we all take for granted,” Mr Brace said.

“Chris is 95kg and six foot four, transferring him out of cars can be quite challenging.

“But if we’re able to get him back to doing normal everyday things … there’s a massive change in his mood and it affects his whole demeanour.”

The Brace boys.

It’s his family’s hope Chris would then enjoy the smaller things in life, whether grocery shopping, going to the bank or even just going for a drive.

Prior to the incident, the 26-year-old had the world at his feet, working on gas rigs in Western Australia and was ready to put a deposit on a home when life took a tragic turn.

“He’s an absolute fighter,” he said.

“Superheroes don’t just wear capes, he’s one of them.

“The sensation of him going out and feeling being on a rough road is going to be great for his own wellbeing.”

Due to the amount they receive from NDIS and insurance funding, Chris’ relatives have created a fundraiser to purchase a modified Kia Carnival which would suit his disabilities and requirements.

You can donate here.