A song a day to raise thousands for spinal cord injuries was prompted by an awe inspired brother, after his little sister became a T4 paraplegic.
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Heidi Haydon, now 28, was left paralysed from the chest down after a collision with a ute in December 2009. She was on her motorbike when the drug-affected driver failed to give way, throwing her into a barricade.
“Seeing the way she deals with it is inspiring alone … it puts everything into perspective with our own lives,” said her brother Jae.
At the time he was overseas, but Heidi insisted he stay there. Their mother “gave up everything” to be by her side, until she gained back her full independence 18 months later.
When Jae returned to his Woonona home still felt like he wasn’t doing much to help. That’s when the singer/songwriter spawned the idea to use a medium that helped Heidi through tough times, to inspire others to help.
So born was Sing For Spinal Cord Injury. Now in it’s third year the fundraiser has grown to include an array of musicians posting acoustic videos to Facebook - at least one a day during October - with the goal to reach $10,000 for charity by the end of the month.
“I feel it’s a way to give back,” said the now 31 year old. “Even though it’s not doing much, I think some people appreciate it.”
Heidi is certainly appreciative and also stoked with the way it’s evolved from a one man show, to many wanting to get “involved in changing people's lives”.
“Music is massive for me, it was a big outlet when I was in rehab,” she said. “If I didn’t have music I don’t think I would’ve gotten through that.”
Heidi now works as an education officer for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, and visits spinal units across Sydney to help others come to terms with the traumatic realisation of life in a wheelchair. She said music played a big part there too, and her brother often came in with his guitar to bring a smile to sad faces.
“It’s a bit amazing,” said Jae. “Just by playing our instruments [how] it can make people happy.”
He said watching his sister work in the hospitals was also awe-inspiring, as she was bringing hope to people in a dark time of their life.
The project has raised more than the target of $10,000, though donations will still be taken. More than 10,000 people live with a spinal cord injury in Australia.
Sing for Spinal Cord Injury and SCIA thanks:
Jae Haydon
Billy Demos
Dominic Connor
The Stone Fruits
Felice Mead
The Real Supastar