Craig was a fit and healthy full-time firefighter. Last year, whilst preparing to go out for his regular kite surf, a freak gust of wind lifted him into the air and shot him backwards into a sand dune. Craig fractured his spine and his spinal cord was severed leaving him permanently paralysed. He stayed in hospital for 5 months.
As a PBF member Craig received the $250,000-member benefit payment just five weeks after his accident. This alleviated financial pressure and allowed him to focus on his rehab and preparations for returning home.
Craig used $60,000 of his PBF member benefit payment on home and garden modifications; he also bought a new car and had it converted to hand controls. He was able to pay for some private surgery to dramatically improve his quality of life post-injury.
Craig encourages people to think about how they would manage if an unexpected spinal cord injury happened to them. How would they afford the associated costs? As Craig explains, for a low annual membership fee, you can have “peace of mind knowing that if something happens, your family will be OK.”