Community rallies behind Jimmy’s road to recovery

The family of a man who fell two storeys from his Cannonvale balcony expected to be planning a funeral.

Helene Christofides and her partner Jimmy Gruitt. Mr Gruitt suffered horrific injuries when he fell two storeys from his Cannonvale apartment in October. Picture: Supplied

WHEN the family of a man who fell two storeys from his Cannonvale apartment heard the news, they were expecting to have to plan a funeral.

Jimmy Gruitt was found by his neighbours when he fell from his Deloraine Cl balcony in October.

The 30 year old was flown to Townsville Hospital with significant head, chest and abdominal injuries.

A GoFundMe page outlined his long list of injuries, saying he was placed in an induced coma after suffering a fractured skull, fractured eye sockets, a ruptured spleen, broken ribs and punctured lungs.

It also said both of his wrists were dislocated and that he had several broken and dislocated fingers.

Mr Gruitt’s partner Helene Christofides said they didn’t know whether he would pull through.

“The past month has been full of emotions for his family, friends and I,” she said.

Helene Christofides and Jimmy Gruitt. Ms Christofides said she was blown away by the support of the community in helping her partner’s recovery. Picture: Supplied

“It was truly hard to see him in the state he was and not knowing how he was going to come out of the coma (or) how bad the damage was to his brain.

“His parents flew on the next flight they could out from Adelaide to see him in Townsville Hospital … both (expected) to be planning a funeral for him.”

Despite all odds, Mr Gruitt is now on the long road to recovery.

But as the costs of treatment and lost income stack up, his loved ones have launched a campaign in a bid to ease the burden of the medical bills.

Mr Gruitt is out of hospital and doing well but will be off work for three to six months because of the bleed on his brain.

Mr Gruitt fell two storeys from his Deloraine Cl apartment in October. Picture: Elyse Wurm

The GoFundMe campaign started in October and more than $10,000 has been raised since.

Ms Christofides said she was incredibly grateful for all the support they had received.

“The money will be going towards doctors’ bills, physiotherapy, chiropractors, psychologists, keeping food in the fridge and a roof over his head,” she said.

“With further surgeries and appointments to go to … we are taking every day as it comes to ensure that he will be okay both mentally and physically.”

Ms Christofides hoped that with the continued support of the community, he would soon be able to get back on his feet and described her partner as “a caring and loving guy that will bend over backwards to help someone, even if he doesn’t know them”.

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She also thanked the resident who found Mr Gruitt on the night of the fall.

“If it wasn’t for him, Jimmy wouldn’t be here today,” she said.

“He stuck by his side the whole time helping the paramedics where he could.”

In late October, Whitsunday Acting Sergeant Aaron Fitzpatrick said police investigations revealed the fall was through “misadventure”.

Sgt Fitzpatrick said Mr Gruitt was trying to gain entry to his unit via the balcony when he fell.

Residents can donate to Mr Gruitt’s GoFundMe here.

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