THIS MUM IS A REAL FIGHTER
CHILDREN’S health advocate Katrina Spraggon has been described as an unsung hero for her fight in shining the light on access to medicinal cannabis treatment for children.
The mother of four, holidaying on the Gold Coast, has taken her battle to a state and federal level, and also received global support.
Ms Spraggon’s 12-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, has profound disabilities and suffers with crippling seizures. Despite cannabis oil becoming more widely available, Ms Spraggon said no commercially available product offered what medicinal cannabis could.
“We take one day at a time and have been receiving support from all around the world,” said Ms Spraggon, from Ningi.
“The issue involves a lot of people who can’t afford it but would benefit from the treatment being on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.”
Ms Spraggon’s efforts have earned her a Thanks A Million campaign nomination from consultant and friend Linda Howard, who works in community relations and Indigenous affairs management.
She wrote in her submission: “Despite her own personal challenges, Katrina has tirelessly advocated, both on a state and federal level, to change laws to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis medicine to children with these severe neurological conditions.
“Katrina continues to push for greater access, more research and better health outcomes for children,
Australia wide. The time and effort and heart Katrina puts into this cause has had a significant impact on government policy, with greater access to this medicine potentially saving and giving greater quality of
life to thousands of Australian children.
“Katrina is everything the best mothers are made of, and the best Australians.”
The Thanks A Million Pride of
Australia awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help their fellow Australians through the challenges of 2020.
Nominate someone at thanksamillion.net.au