Ava grew up in the wide-open spaces of her family’s fourth-generation cattle property in the North Burnett region, where horses were part of everyday life. Riding was second nature to her, and the weekend of March 2025 was meant to mark a milestone – her final training before stepping into her very first campdraft competition. All weekend Ava was riding beautifully, full of confidence and excitement, but in one unimaginable moment, everything changed.
An unexpected turn during her run sent her horse crashing into a steel fence, hurling Ava forward before she was struck as the animal scrambled to its feet. What looked like a simple fall became a fight for her life.
“We expected her to just shake it off and get up... but it became quickly apparent that something was terribly wrong.”
Ava was soon airlifted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane where she received immediate treatment. Ava sustained a severely lacerated liver, a tear in the aorta, fractures, ruptured duodenum, traumatised pancreas and stomach region, as well as a deep laceration above the eye down to the bone.
Those first days were a blur of surgery and uncertainty. Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly, and Ava’s strength was tested in ways no teenager should endure. Through it all, parents Michael and Gina, never left her side, which was made possible because of Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane. From the moment they arrived, overwhelmed and exhausted, RMHC SEQ gave them what they needed most: a safe place just steps away from their daughter.
Coming from regional Queensland, city life, navigating traffic or public transport, and the thought of finding accommodation in Brisbane was daunting. Being able to simply walk across the road to the hospital lifted an enormous weight from their shoulders.
“Being able to keep the family unit close when tragedy strikes is nothing short of amazing. RMHC SEQ is a very special place that offers an incredible service, run by friendly and truly dedicated staff and volunteers.”
As weeks stretched into months, the House became their home. It was where they found comfort in small gestures – a warm dinner from the Meals from the Heart Program, a smile from friendly volunteers, or support from the RMHC SEQ team. It was where they celebrated moments that mattered, like Ava’s 16th birthday, where the RMHC SEQ team went out of their way to make the day as special as possible. Other cherished memories included attending the Brisbane Lions game in the Hyundai Help for Kids iView Room – an experience that brought joy during a challenging time and will remain with Ava and her family forever.
After more than 100 days, Ava was discharged from hospital and able to return home, reconnecting with her beloved horses and dogs, and even welcomed a new puppy. Recovery is ongoing, but her resilience shines through. For Michael and Gina, RMHC SEQ was more than accommodation – it was hope, community, and a lifeline during the darkest days. They will never forget the kindness that kept their family together when it mattered most.
Life can change in a heartbeat. For families like Ava’s, an ordinary day can turn into a fight for survival – and in those moments, being together matters more than anything. Your donation helps keep families together when the unexpected happens. Please give today and ensure no family faces their toughest days alone.
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