Kerri-Anne Kennerley has taken on a carer’s role after husband John was left paralysed as the aftermath of catastrophic injuries from a horrible fall in 2016.
Despite the unforeseen situation, the TV veteran is often in high spirits when it comes to speaking about her ongoing care for the 77-year-old.
However, last week Kerri-Anne was angered when she was slapped with a parking fine in her own driveway while transferring John from his chair into the vehicle.
‘I was furious, it really is stupid bureaucracy!’ Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 64, disputes $184 parking fine on her own driveway as she hoists paralysed husband John, 77, into the vehicle
According to Private Sydney, the media personality mounted a case against the Roads and Traffic Authority in which she pleaded for leniency.
‘We have a mobility pass on the windscreen. I pointed that out to the parking inspector, and that we were actually parked across our own driveway and not interfering with the flow of traffic in anyway, but they wouldn’t have a bar of it. They still pinged us. I was furious, it really is stupid bureaucracy without consideration of the circumstance,’ Kerri-Anne told the publication.
The $184 fine was issued after Kerri-Anne momentarily left the 4WD to collect John, which is classified as a school zone on weekday mornings.
‘They wouldn’t have a bar of it. They still pinged us’: Kerri-Anne claimed she pointed out the mobility pass to the parking inspector, but they did not show leniency for her situation
‘The car and the wheelchair have to be on the same level, not on a footpath’: Kerri-Anne claimed the car was only on the driveway for ‘under 10 minutes’ while her stepson helped her hoist John into the 4WD
Since the fall, Kerri-Ann has been assisted by her stepson Simon and a roster of full-time carers.
‘We (herself and stepson Simon) have got it down to under 10 minutes, but the car and the wheelchair have to be on the same level, not on a footpath, that’s why I moved the car because the garage isn’t big enough to fit the chair in too,’ she explained.
The publication claimed that Kerri-Anne’s claim was rebuffed this week, in which only frustrated the star further.
‘So what is the alternative? Do I now have to make John drive his wheelchair down two very busy roads, hold up all that traffic so I can get him to find a park outside where I can get him into the car?’
‘He needs care 24/7, he still can’t push a button and can’t feed himself’: Kerri-Anne gives an update on her husband John’s health after a life-changing accident left him paralysed
In June, Kerri-Anne gave an update on John’s condition – who was left paralysed after he fell over on the lawn outside a golf resort two years ago.
‘He needs care 24/7, he still can’t push a button and can’t feed himself, but the rest of his health is good,’ she told New Idea.
Despite the hardship and challenges over the last few years, the TV star has remained motivated and determined, working behind the scenes with networks.
She released a book, and also worked on the odd story for Channel Seven’s Sunday Night program, easing herself into her imminent return to the industry.
Support: The 64-year-old TV veteran has been firmly by her husband’s side as he makes progress in his recovery
She said her husband’s injury required a huge lifestyle adjustment for the pair, but they still do their best to do a lot of what they’ve always enjoyed.
‘We still like to have a good time, we like to chat, we read the newspaper – we discuss events… we just can’t go out like we used to,’ she said.
She described her husband as remarkable, gushing over his motivation and progress with rehabilitation.
She said that amidst all the tragedy and hardship, she has never forgotten how lucky the pair are and they appreciate what they’ve been given and the support they have.
‘We need to just get on with it. Life is for living, appreciate it,’ she added.
Business as usual: She said her husband’s injury required a huge lifestyle adjustment for the pair, but they still do their best to do a lot of what they’ve always enjoyed