Meet Lucy
Last Saturday, a tiny bundle of fur and fight arrived at Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary. Her name is Lucy, and she weighed just 1.298kg—a fragile joey with eyes full of trust and a body already carrying the weight of trauma.
Lucy's story begins with heartbreak. Her mum was tragically killed in a farm accident. In a well-meaning act of compassion, the farmer’s wife decided to raise Lucy herself. She turned to Google for guidance—but sadly, she never found her way to our pages.
Lucy had suffered a fractured ankle in the accident, but no one noticed. Instead of being cradled in a pouch or held close for comfort, she was placed on the back lawn for up to six hours a day. Not because she wanted to lie there—but because someone thought that’s what joeys do. It was misinformed, and it was cruel. Lucy was left to struggle, trying to stand and move on a broken limb, without the support or protection she desperately needed.
The stress and pain took their toll. After several weeks—possibly longer—Lucy was handed over to a carer. By then, she was suffering from chronic diarrhoea, her body overwhelmed by trauma. I have such a heart for these poor babies. They go through so much, and incorrect care—however well-intentioned—can be fatal.
I didn’t know what I was in for. I just knew I needed her with me. I needed to do what was right for her, even if that meant making the hardest call of all.
The Veterinary Prognosis – What WA Wildlife Vets Found
Lucy’s ankle injury is a calcaneal fracture—a break in the heel bone. Here’s what the vets told us:
“The calcaneus has healed incorrectly, with calcification forming around the site. The gastrocnemius tendon and the joint are now misaligned. To restore function, the bone will need to be rebroken, the tendon realigned, and a pin inserted to hold everything in correct alignment. Without surgery, Lucy will not be able to mobilise appropriately as she grows and gains weight.”
What That Means in Simple Terms
Lucy’s heel bone didn’t heal the way it should have. It’s now out of place, and the tendon that helps her move is pulling in the wrong direction. As she grows, this misalignment will cause pain, limit her movement, and eventually make it impossible for her to hop or walk properly.
The only option is surgery:
Her heel bone will be rebroken and realigned
The tendon will be adjusted to match the new position
A pin will be inserted to hold everything in place while it heals
Without this, Lucy’s future would be one of pain and immobility. With it, she has a chance—not just to survive, but to thrive.
Dr James, Dr Theresa and the team at Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital will perform the surgery.
Why Lucy Matters
Lucy represents so many joeys who suffer silently. Her story is a reminder that good intentions aren’t always enough, and that specialised care is essential. She’s also a symbol of resilience—and of what’s possible when compassion meets expertise.
We’ll be sharing updates on Lucy’s journey, and if you feel moved to support her surgery and recovery, we’d be deeply grateful. Every dollar helps us give her the life she deserves.
Thank you for standing with Lucy—and with all the wild souls who need us.
