A fit, active doctor will spend a year recovering after a harness fails and he falls ten meters from a balcony onto a concrete path.
Dr Fraser Bliesner, 33, was repairing a balcony at his family home in Illawarra, New South Wales, on Tuesday when the anchor point on his harness broke and he fell to the ground.
His wife, Phoenix, 33, said he was lucky to have survived the fall.
“He was doing all the right things, he wasn’t being stupid, but it’s lucky he’s alive,” she told Daily Mail Australia as she drove to see him in Wollongong hospital.
His eight-year-old daughter found him lying in the driveway and called her father for an ambulance.
Mrs. Bliesner was then treating a dental patient.
‘I was wondering why he was calling so much. “Then I got a call from the paramedics and I knew it was serious,” he said.
Dr. Bliesner’s fall resulted in several injuries, including crushed ankles, a fractured pelvis, a fractured lumbar spine, and a broken wrist.
Dr. Fraser Bliesner, 33, fell ten meters onto a concrete path while working on a balcony on Tuesday.
Phoenix Bliesner, 33, said she was lucky to have her husband alive after he hit his head in the fall.
Bliesner said doctors were initially concerned because her husband had hit his head on the cement in the fall.
“He is stable now, they were worried about internal bleeding in his pelvis, but he is better,” he said.
“It will be a long road.”
Doctors are confident that the father of two will be able to resume his active lifestyle after treatment.
“It’s very important in the sports community, it’s a very important part of their life,” Mrs. Bliesner said.
“However, doctors say you will always have aches and pains.”
Dr. Bliesner is an avid cyclist who competes in races in the region. He is also actively involved in surf lifesaving and Nippers.
Before studying medicine, Dr Bliesner represented Queensland in high school rugby league and played in the AFL team for the Gold Coast Suns, before spending six months playing Australian rules football in Canada.
Mrs. Bliesner was worried that her husband might become bored during treatment.
“It will be a difficult road, I think at least a year of recovery.” You will be in hospital for a minimum of 12 weeks, with 6 weeks of bed rest.’
Bliesner said her husband tends to lead a very active lifestyle in sports and the community in general.
She said she wants to see her husband fully recovered so he can do the things he loves and continue helping the community.
‘He’s always happy and always busy and on the go. He is the best person you would ever meet, he always has time for people.
“He really is an amazing doctor, I know it’s funny, I’m his wife, but he really is an amazing doctor.” He is loved by everyone.’
The long treatment will put both an emotional and financial strain on the family, as well as their two young daughters, aged eight and four.
Both children have handled the tragedy well and the older one began to realize how serious the accident could have been.
Family friend Gemma Brooks has created to fundraising for the family to help with recovery.
‘Fraser is not only a dedicated physician but also a beloved member of our community. His passion for cycling and uplifting energy have a way of inspiring everyone around him. “He now faces a long road to recovery, with significant time off work and extensive rehabilitation ahead,” he wrote.
‘Fraser and his wife, Phoenix, are raising two beautiful daughters: Fyfa, an elementary school student, and Flo, who attends preschool. This unexpected accident has put enormous strain on his family, both emotionally and financially.
‘We ask for your support to help the Bliesners during this difficult time. Donations will go toward covering medical bills, rehabilitation costs and living expenses while Fraser focuses on healing.