Chrys Barker now has a car with a difference. Through the support of Equity Trustees, he has a new modified vehicle that’s celebrates his passions and who he is today.

Like many young men in their 20s, Chrys Barker simply adored rugby league, trail bike riding and fishing. But at age 26, Chrys’ passions were abruptly put on hold when he was involved in a major car accident. As a result of the accident, Chrys sustained an acquired brain injury. He is now in a wheelchair and lives at home with his beloved family, receiving full-time care.

Over 11 years as passed since that accident. Despite the fact that a lot of things in Chrys’ life have changed with time, a few things have remained constant – Chrys’ love for his family and his long-held love of the St. George Illawarra Dragons, trail bike riding and fishing.

So when the time came for the 37-year-old to get a new vehicle recently, his support team (affectionately known as ‘team Barker’) wanted to ensure the car met his physical needs and reflected his personal interests. Equity Trustees, which currently manages all of Chrys’ finances, supported team Barker to buy a unique Hyundai Staria for Chrys.

The wrap features artistic celebrations of playing rugby, bike riding and fishing, all in a wheelchair. “The car has a special wrap representing what Chrys loved to do before the accident,” says Equity Trustee’s National Manager Health and Personal Injury, Katrina Harper. “We also paid for the vehicle to be modified so Chrys can sit in the back in his wheelchair and be safely secured.

The modified car and its wrap meant a great deal to both Chrys and his family. “Chrys was so pleased with his car and team Barker was really excited to be able to do something so special for him. It was an honour for Equity Trustees to be involved in making this happen for Chrys. We feel so grateful to be considered a part of ‘team Barker’.”

Help is always on-hand

Equity Trustees was first introduced to the Barker family in 2017, and supported preparations for Chrys’ personal injury court case. The landmark case resulted in a personal injury insurance settlement of $20 million, which was believed to be the largest pay-out of its kind at the time.

In accordance with the settlement terms, Equity Trustees now manages all financial matters for Chrys. This enabled team Barker to focus on caring for him without feeling financially overwhelmed. Equity Trustees manages Chrys’ weekly household allowances, the direct payment of all medical expenses, NDIS liaison, and other important expenses like a new, modified car.

“The family has a lot of financial pressure taken off them,” explains Katrina. “It’s given them a lot of peace of mind.”

Katrina believes that Chrys’ case acts as a reminder that help is available for people who need it.

“If you ever find yourself in in a situation where a loved one has lost capacity or has a significant injury, Equity Trustees can assist. So please reach out and make the phone call. Don’t be frightened. We want families going through similar situations to know they are not alone.”

Find out more Health and Personal Injury

We want families going through similar situations to know they are not alone