FREEDOM and flexibility were things Johaan Kaa once took for granted.
The simple acts of cuddling his three kids, swinging a golf club and catching a football were everyday activities Mr Kaa used to be able to do with ease.
But life has been harder for the Alexandra Hills man since he fell ill with meningococcal disease in 2014.
Both of his hands and legs from the knees below were amputated by surgeons to stop the spread of sepsis.
Despite all the pain, Mr Kaa is determined to do everything he can to restore his body’s stolen functionality.
While he was fitted with a hook attachment for his left hand earlier this week, afforded thanks to a $40,000 donation from Brisbane Airport Corporation, Mr Kaa said the device was an interim measure.
The next step will be to go bionic. Up to $1 million is needed to make his dream come true and for the ongoing maintenance costs.
Not only are bionic hands with movable fingers on the wishlist, but also improved leg attachments.
While Mr Kaa is already able to walk, he said his current prosthetics could ulcer his skin if worn for too long.
He said the leg attachments’ inner padding and stockings, which helped to secure the prosthetics into place, could make moving about painful when dampened with sweat.
A solution to the problem is to bypass the need for padding, with the surgical implantation of metal rods into the bone.
While the costly surgery could mean Mr Kaa is wheelchair bound for up to a year while recuperating, he said it would be worthwhile.
Fundraising efforts for Mr Kaa to become bionic will begin at the Whaitangi Day celebrations at the Moreton Bay Sports Club from about 2pm this Saturday.
Prizes are also up for grabs in a 24-hour online auction run from 8pm on Friday to coincide with the celebrations. The online auction can be found here.
Bids can be placed on boxing gloves signed by Jeff Fenech and super-bantam weight female boxer 'Shotgun' Shannon O'Connell, a Bali holiday package, a whipper snipper and more.
For more, visit Mr Kaa’s facebook site.
