Fundraiser launched to help Matt Turkington get urgent spinal surgery

A disability support worker in desperate need of spinal surgery has to fly to the other side of the world for a life-threatening procedure, after his previous operation failed. Here’s how you can help.

Fundraiser launched to help Matt Turkington get urgent spinal surgery.

A Queensland man in desperate need of spinal surgery has to fly to the other side of the world for a life-threatening procedure, to be treated by a world-renowned spinal surgeon after his previous operation failed.

Kyabra Community Association disability support worker Matt Turkington said his life changed forever - for good and bad - after he suffered a horrific spinal injury during a fall on a worksite in 2012.

The soon to be 31-year-old, who suffers through debilitating pain on a daily basis, said he underwent major reconstructive surgery in 2015 with the hope of getting his strength, ability, and life back.

But the $70,000 surgery failed.

Fundraiser launched to help Matt Turkington get urgent spinal surgery.

The metal prosthetic placed in the first surgery, that was supposed to support his spine, is rapidly dissolving along with his vertebrae – which can collapse at any time, sending metal shards into his spine causing irreversible damage.

“I’ve spent the last seven to eight years since the surgery trying to get better, but it won’t improve no matter what I try,” he said.

“I kept going back to the surgeon and he said everything is fine.

“When I got a second opinion, that’s when they found all the problems.

“That was one of the roughest days because I had convinced myself that it was normal and I had to live with the pain.”

The Ipswich man said he could not find an Australian surgeon with the experience or willingness to correct the problems caused by the previous surgery, which included removing failing prosthetics, and restrengthening his spine.

Laura Weale and Matt Turkington.

Mr Turkington and his partner Laura Weale reluctantly started a GoFundMe, which raised $40,000 of a $65,000 goal, so he could fly to Germany for treatment by a world-renowned spinal surgeon in Luxembourg.

“I have no idea who these people are and they’ve sent me their hard earnt money so I can get fixed, that’s pretty amazing to me,” he said.

“I was nervous about putting it out there… you think, lots of people are going through bad things, so why do I deserve it more than them?

“But I had no other option.”

It will cost the pair more than $95,000, and potentially, Mr Turkington’s life.

“I have to leave my dog and my cat, and they have told me there is a chance I won’t make it – how do you prepare? What do you do in that situation?” he said.

“If we go and spend everything we have, and lose everything… I don’t want that to ruin (my partner’s) life.

“Otherwise I wouldn’t do it… I’d rather take the risk and leave it in there if that meant my family would be OK.”

The metal inserted into Matt’s spine has come loose, causing the spine to become dangerously unstable. He said the cause may be due to an infection or his body reacting to the prosthetic - both of which cause the vertebrae surrounding the metal to dissolve.

Mr Turkington met Laura by chance at a Brisbane coffee shop in 2017 when she was working as a barista.

“She’s taken a huge amount of stress off my shoulders… I just have to worry about getting through the surgery,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things I can’t do, so she’s coming home from full-time work and going and mowing and doing the things I can’t.”

Off the back of a successful surgery, he hoped one day to be the same remodel to their future children that his father was to him.

“I want to be able to teach them how to play soccer, or ride a motorbike, or even go for a run, rather than sitting to the side in pain,” Mr Turkington said.

Even though the former plumber’s life was turned upside down, he said he was grateful that he has been able to give back to others through his work as a disability support worker.

“I would have a plumbing business and I wouldn’t have to worry about money but at the same time I’m glad it happened because I never would have started doing disability work,” he said.

“I really love it. Watching people overcome their circumstances has changed my mindset for me to be able to do the same, and try to give something back even though I’m in a bad position.”

If you would like to donate, click HERE.

Originally published as Fundraiser launched to help Matt Turkington get urgent spinal surgery