DINESH: MUM IS THE HERO
QUEENSLAND’S Australian of the Year Dinesh Palipana is an inspiration to many, but he says it is his mum who is the “quiet hero”.
Dr Palipana has nominated his mother Chithrani for Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year to recognise her support during his toughest years.
After he sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident 12 years ago, Chithrani became his primary carer.
Thanks to her devotion, he became the first quadriplegic in Queensland to graduate with a doctorate in medicine.
“I wouldn't be who I am without my mum,” Dr Palipana said.
“She taught me how to drive, how to shave and how to be better among other things.
“She’s been tirelessly there for me since the accident — every day.
“After helping me get ready for work, mum sets to work in advocacy.
“When I get home 12 hours later, she’s still going.”
Now a rehabilitation counsellor and disability carer, Ms Palipana said she struggled for months after the accident to find help for her son.
“We had been through a lot of hardships after the accident,” she said.
“We were given the run around and we were lost.”
Ms Palipana said she inherited her nurturing nature from her own mother.
“I always think of her dearly, she was quite strong,” she said.
“She came to the hospital all the way from Sri Lanka and travelled for the first time.
“Every time I cried she turned around and said, ‘What are you crying for? That child needs help, if you don’t who’s there to help him?’
“That really stuck with me.”