Mitch Thomas turns 21 on October 30.
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He loves all kinds of music, preferably loud, watching movies and his mum’s tuna casserole.
This inspirational East Maitland man was left a quadriplegic after an accident in the Hunter River at Lorn in January 2012 and he is determined to walk again.
But for now, he is longing to get outside, to feel the sun on his skin and breathe the fresh air.
Mr Thomas spends his days in his bed and has been housebound.
There are two pictures of Saint Mary MacKillop above his bed which give Mr Thomas hope and strength for his future. On his neck is a new tattoo which reads: Only God Can Judge Me.
He is cared for around the clock by a team of carers and his devoted mother Di Conroy.
He misses going fishing and driving his car, but is keen to celebrate his 21st birthday with his mates.
At the time of the accident when he jumped from a rope into the river, Mr Thomas had hoped to become an apprentice boilermaker in the mines.
“Shit happens,” he said of his accident.
The Mercury led a fund-raising campaign – Pitch in for Mitch – which proved successful.
“I’ve had my days when I was in hospital where I felt down about what has happened, but I am here and getting on with it, with mum’s support,” he said.
Mr Thomas has a wheelchair, and a ramp has been installed outside his home, but he needs a lift and a van to get him out into the community he has always loved and called home.
The Mercury delivered a $7000 cheque to him, the last instalment of generous donations from Maitland people, which will be used to buy medications.
Meanwhile, the next step is to appeal to the Maitland community to equip Mr Thomas with a van fitted with a lift to carry him and his wheelchair.
Ms Conroy has set aside $500 to launch the campaign.
“He is the same old Mitch,” Ms Conroy said.
“His mind and mouth are still working - he still gives me cheek –and this will be the next, new chapter in his life.
“We are not looking back, we are getting on with it.”
They would like to publicly thank the people of Maitland who have given support, donations and well-wishes and to Pete Thomas for installing a wheelchair ramp at their home.
“We want everyone to know how extremely grateful we are for all their help,” Ms Conroy said.
- You can donate at the Maitland Mercury or any branch of the Mutual.