Injury Or Insult?

ACC Support-Action Groups throughout New Zealand congratulate TV3 and 20/20 for exposing the current attitude and culture of New Zealand's ACC system. On 20/20 Sunday 7:30pm June 8, TV3 will air a story about Richard Maxwell, one of the many claimants caught in the confrontational system that is now ACC.

"In 1998, while working as an orderly at Masterton Hospital, Richard Maxwell suffered a back injury while lifting a patient. The injury worsened over a period of time, until one day Richard woke up - as a paraplegic.

Doctors at the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch believe Richard's paraplegia is a result of his earlier injury, but no one's been able to to identify a precise physical link. So ACC says the injury is all in his head. Richard's wife Sharee cares for him 24/7 and they're struggling to provide for their family. Richard's been assessed more than once by ACC for a higher allowance, for modifications to their home and a vehicle, only to be told he doesn't satisfy the criteria.

Richard is suicidal. But ACC remains unconvinced."

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