Sunshine Coast PT Chris Walker raising $75k for mum’s fluid draining surgery

A Sunshine Coast personal trainer is running 100km in two days to raise money for a life changing surgery to drain seven litres of incredibly painful fluid from his mother’s leg – saying it’s his turn to look after her.

A Sunshine Coast personal trainer is running 100km in two days to raise money for a life changing surgery to drain seven litres of incredibly painful fluid from his mother’s leg – saying it’s his turn to look after her.

Chris Walker, 30, of Buderim, said for as long as he can remember his beautiful mother had been on crutches or wheelchair bound with ongoing chronic pain from an abnormal fluid build up as a side effect of her spine never properly forming while in the womb.

Carol Walker, in her mid 60s, has lived her entire life with spina bifida and then developed an extreme case of lymphedema about 30 years ago.

The excess swelling and fluid retention was caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the body between the skin and muscle. It can be incredibly painful and debilitating – with no cure.

Previously medical practitioners only offered treatment suggestions such as lymphatic massages, elevating the affected area, and compression.

Now, there have been breakthroughs for surgery options in Australia to drain the fluid. According to Mr Walker these surgeries are relatively rare with ongoing research still taking place.

He said the public health system did not offer any surgeries for his mother’s condition and it would cost upwards of $75,000 to drain the seven litres of excess fluid from her legs.

Chris and Carol Walker. Picture – contributed.

“My mother is truly an inspiration to myself and others as she has often shown so much resiliency in life,” Mr Walker said.

“She spent a long amount of time using crutches before transitioning to a wheelchair later in life.

“She has always shown up in life with curiosity, enthusiasm and an ability to give anything a go like skiing with an altered seat and skis for stability, travelling even if this meant struggling to get up steps and being so selfless in the past raising her only son as a single parent while working to provide for us.”

Growing up in Canberra, Mr Walker and his mother were on their own.

“We don’t come from much. My dad left when I was born and she’s always struggled with chronic pain since birth,” Mr Walker said.

Carol Walker lives her life with an excess fluid build up of seven litres in her legs. Picture – contributed.

“Back then there was no such thing as NDIS and we got very little help.

“I remember there were times we just didn’t have Christmas and some weeks we wouldn’t eat dinner. We were always struggling with Centrelink.

“But mum worked as much as she could with her health conditions while also looking after me. She held down various admin jobs and ran her own craft business. But it was hard when on crutches or in a wheelchair.”

Reflecting on his childhood, Mr Walker said he was eternally grateful for his mother and her support.

“She worked her arse off and did the best she could with no support. I feel like I'm indebted to her,” he said.

“I’m forever grateful for all the sacrifices she made.

“I’d do anything I can to make this happen for her. She deserves to live a pain free life.”

Chris is determined to help his mum Carol Walker. Picture – contributed.

With his mother’s guidance and support Mr Walker moved to the Sunshine Coast seven years ago and started his own health and wellbeing business – TravelFit Consulting.

He’s a qualified personal trainer and nutritionist as well.

To raise the money for his mother’s surgery he plans to run 8.5km every four hours over 48 hours from August 30 – a total of 102km.

“It may potentially kill me and is an extreme challenge but I’ve got a few people on board to give it a go too and hopefully we can raise some money for her surgery,” Mr Walker said.

“There will also be mid week yoga reset challenges to come and more.

“I volunteer with Wishlist so it's also great to have their support.”

Chris Walker. Picture – Facebook.

Through determination and the power of community – Mr Walker is set on making sure his mother is able to undergo the life changing surgery.

“There’s no one else in this world who I believe deserves help more than her. She’d do anything for others but not for herself.”

You can support Ms Walker here.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast PT Chris Walker raising $75k for mum’s fluid draining surgery