WA's First Heart & Lung Recipient Rises to the Challenge and Raises $100,000!
Paul Barratt's Amazing Story
Posted Friday, 23 February 2007.
With a little help from his friends WA's first Heart & Lung Recipient Paul Barratt has raised an amazing $100,000 for the Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation WA. Only months after receiving his new Heart & Lung, Paul Barratt took on the ultimate challenge, the 2006 Menzies Classic Cycle Race, a 132km ride from Menzies to Kalgoorlie, testing the fittest of the fit.
One of the friends that supported him in this marathon effort was David Keogh a senior client adviser for Southern Cross Equities. Paul and David have been friends since they met in hospital in 1972. Days after the life saving operation, David called Paul in hospital and during that conversation they talked about the time when David first completed the Menzies to Kalgoorlie ride. David inspired Paul to aim high. In recovery aiming high for Paul meant doing the Menzies Classic Cycle Race. So Paul started on the road to be able to participate.
During the 12 months after transplant Paul's recovery program included participating in the City to Surf in Perth, followed by abseiling off Allendale Square with his son. Then Paul enlisted the help of Steve Harcourt from Elite Racing Cycles. Steve, a world Masters Champion cyclist, provided a Bianchi Racing bike and invaluable advice to Paul in the three month preparation for the race. Steve had the daunting task of helping Paul go from someone who had never ridden a racing bike to being able to participate in the Menzies Race.
As WA's first heart lung transplant recipient, Paul Barratt's courage was tested beyond its limits. Paul shrugged off two broken ribs to complete 86 km of the 132 km, Menzies to Kalgoorlie cycle classic. Paul sustained the injury in a training crash the week before the race, but with David Keogh by his side encouraging him he was able to complete 76 km before the pain from the rib injury was too much. "The road was so unforgiving, and I just couldn't cope with the pain", said Paul. However, Paul could still not concede defeat and 10 km from the Hannan Street finish line hopped back on the bike to complete the remainder of the race.
Paul crossed the finish line at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, 5 1?2 hours after departure at Menzies. His son Chris (15) and long-time friends, David Keogh and his son Mitch (11) and Mark Stevens and his son Michael (13) were by his side the whole time. It was an amazing achievement that three father and son teams participated in the Menzies classic cycle race to raise funds for the Heart or Lung Transplant Foundation. Paul had his own medical team and support teams for the gruelling event. These people included Dr Mike Butcher, Jane Butcher (nurse), Megan Keogh, Sue Stevens, Kim Ball, and Paul's wife Joanne.
The first Menzies to Kalgoorlie Classic Cycle Race took place in 1928 and covered miles of gravel, sad and mud, it is a race that continues to test the best.
What makes Paul's feat all the more amazing is that he took part in the race only months after receiving a new Heart & Lung. For Paul this is a monumental feat considering until a few months ago he had never played any sport and the mere thought of walking and talking simultaneously usually left him gasping for breath. Paul was born with a rare congenital heart disease, and throughout his life has met consistent challenges head on, each more and more life threatening, culminating with his life saving transplant
The historic double transplant involved up to 50 personnel, during which his original heart and lungs were removed, and he was supported by a bypass machine. Within 12 hours he was taken off the breathing machine and his new heart was beating by itself, and within 17 days he was out of hospital.
Paul attributes his amazing recovery to the physiotherapists and the work they did with him in the hospital gymnasiums
Now celebrating his good health and this gift of life, Paul used the race to raise funds for the two gymnasiums at Royal Perth Hospital that made such a contribution to saving his life. The money raised will equip both gymnasiums as well as set up a new patient treatment area to ensure pre and post operative transplant patients get the best treatment and care possible.
"I would like to thank all of my supporters particularly David Keogh, Southern Cross Equities and their clients who played such huge part in helping me to raise the $100,000, which will make a significant difference to patients lives" said Paul.