‘Project Stairlift’ transforms veteran’s life

A veteran in need 

John Earea, a member of Caloundra RSL Sub Branch, has dedicated his entire life to service. At 17, he joined the Army and served three years before joining the police force in 1968, where he served his community for a further 35 years.  

“There are five generations in my family who have served in the Army: me, my father, grandfather, son, and grandson,” John says. 

“I served in an air dispatch unit, which I found interesting because we would go all over Australia. I also went to Vietnam and had contingencies in New Guinea and Butterworth.” 

Upon reaching retirement, John and his wife Julie built their dream two-storey home in Aroona on the Sunshine Coast. However, John’s health has declined over the past 18 months, and he needs renal dialysis three times a week. The impact of this treatment impairs his mobility, making it especially difficult to move around his home.  

“I’d spend four and a half hours on the dialysis machine in hospital, and then when I came home, I was taking forever to try and get up the stairs – half an hour at least,” John says. 

“My wife couldn’t help me, so my son would have to push me up. I’d have to stop and go between ‘on my knees’ and ‘on my feet’, which was so exhausting that by the time I got up there I had to collapse in bed.” 

With no cure for his condition, John felt despair. He was facing the prospect of a months-long wait for DVA assistance, reconfiguring his home or moving out of it permanently. That is, until help came along and turned things around. 

An everyday miracle 

Gary Penney is a Wellbeing Advocate for Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch. During a visit to John and Julie’s home to help set up their MyGov account, a simple question turned into a gift that would change their lives. 

“At the end of my visit I asked, ‘Is there anything else you need?’ and Julie said they had an occupational therapist trying to get them a stairlift, but that DVA had some requirements to approve one,” Gary explains. 

John Earea and Gary Penney from Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch.

“I started thinking about a GoFundMe or selling raffle tickets, but on my way home I got a phone call from our Sub Branch Secretary asking if I knew anyone who needed a stairlift. I thought he was pranking me!”  

As if by magic, a member of the public decided to donate her husband’s stairlift – worth more than $5,000 – to a veteran in need through her local RSL Sub Branch. Within hours, Gary was in her garage checking it over.  

“The stairlift was in near-new condition, so I found the company that had previously maintained it and they supplied a discounted quote to collect, deliver, install and service it for John,” Gary recalls. 

With help from the RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District, Gary was able to secure expedited funding to move and install the stairlift. Only five days after that serendipitous phone call, John ascended the stairs without pain or struggle for the first time in years. 

“John reacted with absolute disbelief and the donor was amazed that the stairlift went to somebody who really needed it,” Gary says. “We were so fortunate that this popped up at the right time. Miracles do happen, but sometimes they just need a little bit of help.” 

“Touched by an angel” 

Following the stairlift’s installation, John’s climb reduced from 30 minutes to 30 seconds. 

“My life at home has improved significantly. Getting up and down the stairs used to be the dread of my day, but now I’m totally self-sufficient. I look forward to coming home now,” John says. 

“I’m sure I was touched by an angel. Between Gary and the lady who donated the chair, everyone involved has changed my life.” 

Reflecting on the assistance he received, John counts himself very lucky. 

“Australian service men are very fortunate to have people like Gary at the RSL Sub Branch. I’m sure there’s no other country in the world that has anything close to this and I am most grateful,” John says. 

Looking back on what he calls ‘Project Stairlift’, Gary is proud that the partnership between his Sub Branch and District was able to help a veteran in need. 

“This gentleman served Australia, so I’m thrilled to see John being able to independently move around his house when he comes home from dialysis,” Gary says. “It makes me feel good that what we do in wellbeing is all worthwhile.” 

Volunteers like Gary are the heart and soul of RSL Queensland. Much of the support provided to veterans and their families across the state couldn’t happen without their passion and dedication.   

There are plenty of ways to get involved in your local Sub Branch and give back to the veteran community.