I was either born with deformed "pistol grip" hip joints or developed them in early childhood.  Despite playing a lot of sport from age six, I never really noticed that I had a restricted range of movement.  I also thought that the pain I was experiencing was just part of trying to get the best out of myself.  I assumed everyone is in some form of pain anyway.  I never really had anything to compare the pain to so that's why it seemed normal.  Unfortunately since I gave up playing sport in 2006 I have rapidly deteriorated to the point that both my hips seize up and I am now on a constant slow release supply of morphine to manage the pain.  The only option is to have both hips replaced.  I count myself very lucky that once I have the new hips installed I will have at least a 110% improvement in my mobility and no noticeable pain.

I was first diagnosed with the symptoms of arthritis back in 2004 and was told it would go away with medication.  As it was considered a pre-existing condition it made health insurance very expensive and as it would "go away" I didn't think it would be necessary because, for all intents and purposes, I am otherwise fully fit.

I need this operation urgently.  I have worked as hard as I body allows over the last 10 years but have only managed to keep my head above water.  My 14 year old son is playing cricket and loves soccer and I can't get involved.  I struggle with the simplest things now and if anything falls onto the floor it is very difficult and painful to pick it up.  Every night I wake in pain every few hours and by the morning my hips are so locked tight it takes me over half an hour for me to get out of bed.

When these hips are fixed all this goes away.  I can get back to work and more importantly get back to volunteering and helping other people in need.  I hope to start coaching junior cricket and soccer also when I am back up and 'running'.

The funds will used for the medical expenses associated with replacing the two hips. $21,000 each hip.
If this fund raising campaign is successful I will launch another for the second hip op which will be 4-6 weeks after the first...hopefully, all going well, the first op will be February 3rd, 2016.

The quote below is for just the one hip and the $7,500 prosthetic is quoted at half price as they are normally $15,000

If i don't raise the funds, I don't get the hips for about two years thanks to stuff ups and bad advice from DHS, my GP and the Surgeon.