THE STEVENSON APPEAL
Gerard Stevenson
On Sunday 24th August 2014, Gerard Stevenson suffered an unimaginable fall and has been left a quadriplegic with a tracheostomy. He will remain this way FOR LIFE
This tragedy follows Sue’s breast cancer diagnosis two and a half years ago which resulted in a serious heart condition being detected following chemotherapy. Thankfully she remains in remission.
As many of you are aware, Gerard has made significant contributions to the local and wider communities.
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The Education system has benefited greatly from Gerard’s intelligence, skill and expertise as a teacher, trainer and technological wizard.
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He has made exceptionally strong contributions to the basketball community, coaching and supporting kids for many years.
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Gerard’s huge enthusiasm and love for education has meant that he and wife Sue have been running their own business, ‘Well Imagine That’, installing and training for Interactive Whiteboard use in schools all over Victoria.
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The schools which have been attended by Max and Zac, Gerard and Sue’s twin sons, are keenly aware of the support, both tangible and financial, that have been provided by Gerard and Sue.
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Leading on from building ‘Well Imagine That’, Sue and Gerard have been producing a TV show, “Todays Schools”. It showcases innovative school programs and the use of technology in schools.
The Stevenson family needs your help to purchase Visual and Voice Controlled software and equipment, a customised wheelchair and renovation to the home so that Gerard can come home for day visits.
In the blink of an eye, lives can change forever.
Latest Blog Posts
Run for Gerard's Bike
In 2 weeks time, on Sunday 8th May, I will be running in the Wings for Life run to raise money for spinal cord research. Melbourne is one of 34 locations around the world where the run is happening simultaneously. http://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/au/en/melbourne/
The format for the run is that runners start at 9pm (yes, at night time) and head off from Hawthorn along the Monash freeway towards Dandenong, and beyond. 30 minutes after we take off a catcher car takes off at 15kmh chasing the runners, steadily increasing its speed. You keep running until the catcher car overtakes you, at which time your race ends and you jump on the bus back to the start line.
Without doubt, this is a great cause and I am happy to participate. BUT, I have another reason for entering. A friend of mine, Gerard, had a terrible accident about 20 months ago and became a quadriplegic. With his strong determination and the help of his family and friends, Gerard has made great progress. Recently Gerard had a loan of a Motomed exercise bike, which he loved and assisted with his rehabilitation. See the following link. http://bcreat2.wix.com/stevenson-appeal#!gerards-progress/c1onm
So I have taken on the challenge of raising enough money to buy Gerard a bike.
Here’s where you can help. I am running to raise money, with 100% of the money going to Gerard for the bike. I’m not sure how far I will run, but I recently ran a half marathon in around 1:47 minutes. You have all the details in the above information to estimate how far I might run. So get out your calculators, or enlist a year 12 maths student, to work it out for yourself. Whether it be a donation, a per km rate, or even a scaled km rate that gives me a target to run towards – I will be happy with anything.
Please email me details of any donations, km rates or target km’s you are able to offer. I will let you know, after the run, how far I got, and then provide the banking details. Thanks for your support
Steven Killey
Gerard has moved to Thornbury
After exactly 365 days at th Austin Hospital (plus his first week at the Alfred) Gerard has moved into supported accommodation in Thornbury.
Ventilator Accommodation Support Services is run by Yoralla and consists of 4 houses, each of which can accomodate up to 5 people. Everyone at the service requires ventilation of some description. Gerard shares a house with 2 others at the moment- James and Mark.
Since moving into his new house, we haven't let the grass grow under our feet. We have become Melbourne UTD basketball fans and have been to all of their home games so far. We head out to Fairfield for coffee or Ivanhoe to Coles, the movies a Doncaster and back to Warrandyte as many times as we can fit into a week.
Gerard recently received some funding from Job Access and now has his phone set up to be totally hands free. He is getting back into working in our Interactive Whiteboard business.
Buy from Well Imagine That
Gerard and Sue's business Well Imagine that Sells, Services and Trains in Interactive Technology. You can help them by suggesting Well Imagine That to your school, or by buying your interactive technology from them.
Visit the website for their product range and services.
