Father has 'no regret' over helping brothers, despite spine injury that will cost $85k to fix
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...
Living the good life in retirement, a Stuff-Metlifecare partnership
Kia ora team
Our special partnership with Metlifecare continues, and we have some great content to share with readers about people living their best lives in retirement.
This issue we look at some of the worthwhile volunteer roles retirees are filling in our communities, learn about mindfulness at any age, and check out some Kiwi beach travel options while the good weather lasts.
Don’t forget to try out our nostalgia quiz - it’s for anyone who wants to test the Kiwi knowledge they’ve picked up over the past four, five, six or more decades.
Joanna Davis
Homed Editor
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