Korean student Hyunseok Ryu told SBS Korean he’s “completely overwhelmed” by the support he’s received through a GoFundMe appeal, set up to generate funds to help pay for an operation to restore the sight in one of his eyes.
He sustained serious injuries to his left eye during an attack by a group of teens at Musgrave Park in Brisbane on December 17.
He managed to get away and call triple-zero before being taken to QEII Jubilee Hospital, where he remained for three days receiving treatment.
Mr Ryu now requires an operation to remove the stitches on his eye and to replace his damaged cornea.
Musgrave Park Source: Google Maps
But with little money left in his savings and his graduate visa period ending in February, Mr Ryu was unable to afford the operation and basic living costs.
Unable to secure stable employment due to his injury, he considered throwing in the towel and returning to Korea.
"I gave up on everything and decided to go back to Korea. But with the encouragement and help of my friends that said I can't go back to Korea without treatment, I opened a GoFundMe page,” he said.
Less than a week after starting the appeal page, it has generated more than $12,000 - meaning that treatment is now within reach.
“Thank you so much to everyone for your very generous donations. I have been surprised that I have reached my target in five days,” he said.
“I am completely overwhelmed and lost for words. I also thank those who shared my story with their friends. It has been shared more than 300 times. I have been contacting the hospital in order to make an appointment for the next surgery. [They informed me that] there may be some change due to finding a donor of the cornea, but I got the schedule for it on 30th September.”
Mr Ryu arrived in Canberra in 2016 to complete his Masters of Asian and Pacific Studies at the Australian National University before he settled down in the capital.
The attack in Brisbane forced him to relocate to that city to receive treatment.
He is not eligible to receive government subsidies or compensation for living expenses, due to his visa status.
As a victim of crime, his medical expenses are covered by the government, but he was required to pay for his operation up front.
He said he took out private health insurance when he first arrived in Australia as part of his visa requirement and was partially covered for treatment by his fund.
He said the success of the appeal meant he would remain in high spirits and in “good condition” until the operation day.
“Although there have been such painful days, I am feeling better and protected since the donation started. I have learnt that there are still many warm-hearted people. And it is not shameful to call for help from someone else,” he said.
“Like them, I will help those who are desperate and going through painful days once I get my health back and settle down to the safe ground.”
Queensland Police confirmed with SBS Korean that seven teens were charged following the attack, and three were due to face court later in the year.
