Whangārei teen’s Melbourne health trip secured after Jetstar setback

Carrie Kunicich, 13, uses a motorised wheelchair to get around due to mobility and sight problems from atypical Friedreich ataxia.

A Whangārei teenager will get the health trip to Melbourne she needs, thanks to the support of Air New Zealand and the Northland community.

Carrie Kunicich, 13, has atypical Friedreich ataxia, a rare genetic condition that leaves her with limited mobility, muscle spasms, neurological pain and vision of just 1m with glasses on.

The 13-year-old Whangārei Girls’ High School student usually uses a motorised wheelchair to get around, although she can walk short distances.

Last year, Carrie travelled with her family to Melbourne for the first time, to meet with doctors specialising in Friedreich ataxia.

The team, led by Professor Martin Delatycki of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, was able to recommend a medicine, baclofen, which has successfully halted the muscle spasms that disrupted her sleep.

Carrie is now returning to Melbourne at the end of the month for a check-up with the team.

The trip was almost derailed by Jetstar’s inability to offer wheelchair assistance on the family’s booked flight, which mum Laura Kunicich described as “ridiculous”.

The discount airline apologised for being unable to accommodate the request on this occasion but said its wheelchair limit - of two passengers needing wheelchair assistance - had been reached on the flight.

It offered to find the family an alternative flight but Kunicich opted to cancel the booking and take a full refund instead.

Kunicich said the hardest thing was she was unable to know the limit had been reached before she booked the flight.

Carrie Kunicich will travel with her younger brother Keifer and mother Laura to Melbourne at the end of the month for a check-up with doctors specialising in her rare disorder.

She was unable to change the date because she travels on a UK passport and has to apply for Electronic Travel Authority or an eVisitor Visa in advance of the Australian visit.

With funds being tight, Kunicich thought she would have to wait for a refund from Jetstar before booking a new flight.

However, Air New Zealand contacted her following the Northern Advocate‘s coverage, offering a good deal on a flight with wheelchair assistance.

It held the booking open until Kunicich was able to pay, which she said was a great relief.

Kunicich is also grateful to the community who helped fund the trip through a Givealittle page and direct donations, including the Lions Club of Whangārei which offered $1000 this year and $1000 next year if Carrie needs to return again.

However, Kunicich said she is still waiting for her Jetstar refund, which was approved last Wednesday but may take up to 15 days to be credited.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.