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Posted: 2018-05-21 04:57:41

WHEN Densihar Woods touched a garden tap at her public housing unit in Perth, the 11-year-old’s life was changed forever, something her family thinks the West Australian Government should pay for.

Denishar was left with a catastrophic brain injury on March 3 after 240 volts of electricity ran through her body, putting her in a coma for weeks.

Her mum, Lacey Harrison, was also injured when she pulled her daughter out of the electrified puddle.

Last week, Denishar’s family was told by doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth that they could finally take their 11-year-old home.

But Denishar’s care, which will include around-the-clock assistance, an occupational therapist and the installation of a specialised hospital bed and ceiling hoist, doesn’t come cheap.

Ms Harrison made a public appeal for help last week when she was told Denishar could go home.

A malfunction in the property’s electricity is blamed for the massive electric shock that almost killed the Perth youngster and has left her in a semi-vegetative state ever since.

The family is now planning on suing the West Australian Government for breaching duty of care.

Levitt Robinson Solicitors confirmed to ABC it had been contacted by the family.

Gerry Georgatos from the National Indigenous Critical Response Service told the ABC the family would need millions to care for Denishar.

“We don’t want to wait and we can’t wait for settlement in court,” he said.

“We’re asking the State Government to step up through ministerial discretion, as it has in the past for other families, to meet advance payments and to secure the immediate management of the care of young Denishar and reduce the distress levels on siblings [and] family.”

The family, which includes Ms Harrison and seven children, are asking the government for a permanent house fitted out with everything Denishar needs.

The family is also asking for an upfront payment of $500,000.

“In the long term we’re talking about millions, a couple of million at least, “ Mr Georgatos told the ABC.

As well as an appropriate house, Denishar will also need a specialised car to fit her wheelchair.

In an interview last week, Ms Harrison said she was yet to receive any funding from the government to help care for Denishar.

“The government itself, there’s been no funding up until this point,” she said.

“It’d be really good if they could step forward and help us. I’m a single mum on Centrelink, it doesn’t go very far.”

The family are scheduled to meet with the state’s Housing Minister, Peter Tinley, next week, about the same time Denishar will be released from hospital.

The family have had supporters set up two separate GoFundMe campaigns in the past.

Last week, a group of mums with kids in the same ward as Denishar started a campaign for the 11-year-old.

“It breaks your heart to see Denishar cry every time her mum leaves and seeing Lacey cry as well,” Chantel Saunders, one of the mum’s behind the campaign, said.

The campaign has raised $6330 of its $40,000 goal.

A previous GoFundMe page started days after Denishar’s accident raised $14,109 of its $20,000 goal.

“Denishar’s family still needs our help ... This money has been eaten up,” the second GoFundMe page reads.

“When in hospital no one gives you money for parking and if you don’t get in the 60c per hour one it can cost over $25 per day. No one feeds you, so you’re looking at over $30 a day per person for food and drinks. Then petrol for a few 26km trips each day. Plus the cost of caring for your children at home, who don’t have a mother at home to cook cheap and healthy meals. No one provides help for the families. No one gives meal vouchers for food, those are given to the well off who use their private hospital funds to pay for the bill. The money does not last long at all,” it says.

Denishar’s mum hopes the whole family can be moved into state disability housing.

“I don’t know if Homeswest will be able to get a house big enough. We need one which can fit Denishar’s trolley in the shower,” she said.

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