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Sally Walker of Stanmore Bay has fought a long, gruelling battle to shine a light on the grievous harm thousands of women like herself have suffered from surgical mesh injuries.
Late last month, Sally was named Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year, in recognition of her courageous advocacy.
Her award citation said her work continues to leave its mark, resonating with women worldwide who seek her guidance and assistance.
The award, one of seven categories in the annual Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, recognises an individual who has made a positive difference, demonstrating selflessness and determination.
The awards attracted thousands of nominations and the winners were announced at a March 27 event in Auckland.
“It was surreal – I was in total shock,” Sally, 74, said last week. “I’ve been severely harmed, but this journey was never about me. It was about the thousands of women around the world who are going through this.
“I’m grateful to Kiwibank and the judges. This has given women such hope.”
With her family’s backing, Sally chose to go public with her harrowing story about severe complications arising from surgical mesh implants. She has undergone a dozen operations including having her bladder removed, with resulting ailments including fibrosis of the lungs.
Her advocacy has helped to bring about significant changes in the healthcare sector. The government last August announced a pause on the use of surgical mesh for stress urinary incontinence in women, citing safety concerns.
Sally also provides help to more than 100 women, aged from 20 to 91-years-old, facing similar challenges to hers. The support ranges from helping them with ACC and health and disability matters to “just being a voice on the phone”.
“Because of the intimate nature of the injuries, we have no idea how many [mesh-injured women] there are out there, living in silence.”
Sally said affected women could lose trust, hope, intimacy, even their sense of identity, and in some cases marriages and relationships could disintegrate.
She praised her own family – husband of 55 years Paul, their three children and 10 grandchildren – for their steadfast support.
Sally recalled her father telling his children that “if you really believe in something, you have to go for it”. Her mum, whose own mother was in the French resistance during World War II, taught her to “stand up for what you believe – don’t be pushed down”.
“They all thought I was just an old lady who would go away,” she said. “I was told that I couldn’t and shouldn’t – but I did. They underestimated me.”
