1675 days ago

Father has 'no regret' over helping brothers, despite spine injury that will cost $85k to fix

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Kia ora neighbours. Reece Leitch just wants to play with his young daughters, but a back injury – that will cost around $85,000 to fix – has left him unable to be as involved in their playtime as he once was.

The 27-year-old, from Hillcrest first started having back problems at 10 years old, when he started helping to care for his older brothers, Ryan and Blake, who have muscular dystrophy.

As the only able-bodied man in his family, Leitch would do a lot of the physically demanding tasks, including lifting his brothers in and out of their wheelchairs, beds and the bathroom.

“There’s no doubt, or regret, that looking after my brothers from a young age had an effect on the health of my spine,” he said.

After suffering two slipped discs last year, Leitch is now reliant on medication for his “constant pain”.

Leitch needs disc replacement surgery, but ACC will no longer fund his treatment.

He’s now taking his bid for treatment overseas and hopes a purpose-built spine clinic in Germany will be able to fix his back and get him playing with his daughters and playing sports again.

Click 'read more' for our full story.
If you'd like to make a donation towards Leitch's surgery, you can do so here: givealittle.co.nz...

More messages from your neighbours
11 hours ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 76.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    76.9% Complete
  • 23.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    23.1% Complete
169 votes
5 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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28 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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