A YOUNG Yerrinbool mother-of-two and her family have been devastated by Toxic Shock Syndrome.
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The bacterial infection has robbed Korina Valentine of her limbs in a quadruple amputation.
Now her family and friends are calling on the community to help fund a specialised wheelchair.
Mrs Valentine, 28, was hospitalised in April this year and just survived the bacterial attack.
But the infection’s severity led to the amputation of her arms just below the elbow, one leg near her hip, and the other leg below her knee, as well as damage to her face and skin.
She and husband Daniel Valentine have two children: Hayden, 3, and infant Amelia, 11 months.
Mrs Valentine is the daughter of Chris Roberson, organiser of local Bluelight Discos for more than 25 years.
He and wife Sandra have set up a charity, Reaching 4 Korina, to raise money for her lifelong care and needs.
The charity’s first major fundraiser is a cocktail night at Mittagong RSL Club on Saturday, November 7.
Future efforts are planned to include an auction at the Empire movie theatre and a trivia night.
Mrs Valentine faces more surgeries and will one day be fitted for prosthetics costing $150,000 each.
Until then, doctors have said the priority is to mobilise Mrs Valentine with a wheelchair costing $25,000.
Family friend, Lance Toovey of the NSW Rural Fire Service, is one of many helping promote the cocktail night.
The family has “shed a lot of tears. They’re grieving ... but trying to get on with things,” Mr Toovey said.
Mrs Valentine is in a Sydney hospital for skin grafts, with extended family managing childcare and daily visits.
Mr Toovey said the Valentines would also need a specialised motor vehicle and disability access for their home.
The cocktail night will feature local entertainment and talks on Toxic Shock Syndrome to raise awareness.
Raffle tickets for sale on the night will offer a main prize of a weekend away in the Hunter region.
Tickets are $80 each and available from the club reception on Bessemer St or call 4872 6700.