Teacher stomped by Abo students loses leg - Needs therapy to walk again

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/former-northern-territory-teacher-who-lost-leg-in-student-attack-is-launching-legal-action/story-fnk0b1zt-1227188109233


A FORMER Katherine High School teacher who lost the lower half of his leg in a brutal student attack has launched legal action so he can afford ongoing medical costs. 
 
David Arnold's left leg was stomped on by three students in 2008. Ongoing infections meant it had to be amputated from the knee down in 2012.

A faulty prosthesis caused additional damage, leaving him wheelchair-bound for the past 15 months.

"I haven't been able to do anything,'' he said.

Mr Arnold will undergo his 13th round of surgery next week.

The 2005 Teacher of the Year said it was his "last throw of the dice" to walk again.

"If it doesn't work it means I will be restricted to this bloody wheelchair for the rest of my life,'' he said.

"It has to work."

Mr Arnold's lawyer, Leeha James, told the NT News the latest court proceedings were so he could "access certain rehabilitation benefits that have ceased".

Catherine Weber from the Department of Education said Mr Arnold was "disputing some changes to his entitlements" under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.

She denied reports the department had not assisted the former Territory teacher.

"Mr Arnold has been fully supported by the school and department since the incident,'' she said.

"Mr Arnold has received entitlements under the Act as determined by TIO, which has included weekly payments, ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation and household and travel assistance."

Media reports at the time of his amputation claimed Mr Arnold had received minimal assistance from the department "because the school did not report the matter to police at the time".

Seven years later, Mr Arnold said he was trying to move on with his life.

"I haven't come to accept it but I've come to the conclusion that if you dwell on those things it's not going to help you,'' he said.

Mr Arnold, now 66 and living in Victoria, said he wanted to return to teaching.

"I've been extremely restricted and I just want to get out of this bloody chair and have the opportunity to get back on with my life,'' he said.

Doctors have told Mr Arnold that if next week's operation is a success, he could be walking with a prosthetic leg within six or seven months.


Being a rough, coon town like Katherine and in a show of bad discipline you can bet your money this attack was carried out on this poor guy by Abos! The paper just won't say that it was.