A lifeline in a time of need

Makie White, Student Emergency Fund

Makie working as a trackwork rider to support her studies

Makie, a Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience student, faced a significant blow to her health and savings when she was kicked by a horse at work.

Airlifted to hospital Makie describes her diagnosis as 鈥渓ucky鈥 when the doctors confirmed she had received a few lacerations to her liver and kidney and would need 12 weeks off work to heal and recover.聽

鈥淎 kick from a horse can shatter bones or even be fatal, so I was very lucky to sustain only a few organ lacerations. It could have been a lot worse,鈥 Makie said.聽

A self-funded student, Makie works part time as a trackwork rider with racehorses to pay her tuition fees, rent and cover daily expenses.聽

鈥淎fter the accident I was able to continue with my studies but I wasn鈥檛 able to work. It was a really stressful time not knowing how I would cover my rent and groceries. There was a real concern about the possibility of deferring until I received a grant from the Student Emergency Fund.聽

Makie White, Student Emergency Fund
If I had ignored medical advice due to financial stress, I could have risked further harm or worse. The fact that I didn't have to compromise my health to continue studying is something I deeply appreciate.Makie

"If I had ignored medical advice due to financial stress, I could have risked further harm or worse. The fact that I didn't have to compromise my health to continue studying is something I deeply appreciate," Makie said.聽

Tagged in Student Emergency Fund, philanthrophy