PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Taeryn now attending Lakeview
KAREN COLTMAN
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After two years battling with the Accident Compensation Corporation, the parents of Masterton stroke victim Taeryn Marurai are fundraising via Givealittle to help cover legal costs of an appeal.
In 2015, aged eighteen months, Taeryn suffered a stroke as a result of a heart infection. His brain injury has left him permanently disabled. The family is appealing ACC’s decision to deny Taeryn compensation for his stroke injury.
Taeryn’s mother, Jaime explained that her son was sick for about five months leading up to his stroke.
“He was taken to his GP and A and E multiple times, week after week after week,” she said.
“Not once was he referred to a specialist. Not once did he undergo any diagnostic testing.
“By the time any medical professionals investigated Taeryn’s illness, it was too late. Taeryn had suffered multiple strokes and almost lost his life.
“We believe his case should fall under the ACC criteria for not receiving adequate treatment when sick,” Marurai said.
Marurai is questioning why the health care system allows children with life threatening illnesses to “slip under the radar”.
“If we are successful in our case against ACC this could be the beginning of positive changes to our health care system that will see no child suffer again like our little boy did.”
The funds raised go towards getting independent doctors to review the boy’s medical treatment. The doctors are likely to be coming from Australia.
ACC specialist lawyers John Millar Law are acting for the family. Tom Lynskey is now leading the case, which is expected to be heard by the end of the year.
Tarryn started at Lakeview School in April.
“The teachers are now getting to know and understand him, but the stroke left him damaged down the left side of his body affecting his speech, hearing and smell,” Marurai said.
“He has faced enormous hurdles on the road to recovery, but always does so with a smile on his face. Our goals are to help him achieve as much mobility as possible and to not let his brain injury hold him back.”
The family postponed the fundraiser planned for last weekend because of bad weather. It has moved to Saturday, September 28 at the family’s Arian Pony Stud in Te Ore Ore. Another fundraiser is planned at Jaime’s husband’s gym, Sassfit Gym.
Givealittle is an online fundraising platform for all New Zealanders, https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/little-boys-battle-with-acc
