Latest news with #Goldenharsyndrome
7NEWS
5 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Powerball jackpot: A 22-year-old man won millions overnight, but his lottery dream ended in tragedy
Just over five years ago, 22-year-old plumber Joshua Winslet had only $19 left in his bank account when he bought a last-minute ticket in a $100 million Powerball draw. Against all odds, he became the winner of a $22 million prize. Mr Winslet had endured a childhood of relentless bullying due to rare medical conditions, so the win was supposed to be a fresh start. He suffered from Duane syndrome and Goldenhar syndrome, congenital conditions that caused facial abnormalities, heart irregularities, and a single horseshoe-shaped kidney, according to the Daily Mail. Isolated and ridiculed throughout school, Mr Winslet left in Year 10 and later moved to New Zealand's South Island in search of work. Friends recall their disbelief when Mr Winslet called to share the good news. 'It was something that doesn't happen to someone like Josh,' one said. Initially, Mr Winslet handled his new wealth responsibly. With the help of a trust managed by his parents, he purchased several investment properties in Australia and New Zealand. But the fairytale didn't last. Friends say he soon became immersed in a drug-fuelled lifestyle. Despite pleas from those close to him, Mr Winslet was drawn to people who used him for access to his drug supply. Things rapidly started to unravel, and in 2020, police raided his Adelaide home, seizing MDMA, cocaine, a firearm, and ammunition. He was convicted of drug and weapon charges and given a suspended jail sentence with a good behaviour bond. During sentencing, the judge pointed to the corrosive effects of sudden wealth, saying Mr Winslet had 'no motivation' to do anything but indulge. Photos from the home revealed a shocking descent — bongs, empty food containers, and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout a squalid mansion. Amid the chaos was a framed screenshot of the winning lottery ticket, now a haunting reminder of the win that changed everything. Friends described his paranoia, substance abuse, and emotional decline. One friend remembered warning him bluntly: 'You need to stop this or you're going to die.' He didn't listen. In late 2022, the tragedy that many feared came true. Mr Winslet died at home from health complications related to excessive drug use. His death, though unreported at the time, sent shockwaves through those who had tried to help him. Lifeline: 13 11 14. If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
West Australian
10 hours ago
- West Australian
Powerball jackpot: A 22-year-old man won millions overnight, but his lottery dream ended in tragedy
Just over five years ago, 22-year-old plumber Joshua Winslet had only $19 left in his bank account when he bought a last-minute ticket in a $100 million Powerball draw. Against all odds, he became the winner of a $22 million prize. Mr Winslet had endured a childhood of relentless bullying due to rare medical conditions, so the win was supposed to be a fresh start. He suffered from Duane syndrome and Goldenhar syndrome, congenital conditions that caused facial abnormalities, heart irregularities, and a single horseshoe-shaped kidney, according to the Daily Mail . Isolated and ridiculed throughout school, Mr Winslet left in Year 10 and later moved to New Zealand's South Island in search of work. Friends recall their disbelief when Mr Winslet called to share the good news. 'It was something that doesn't happen to someone like Josh,' one said. Initially, Mr Winslet handled his new wealth responsibly. With the help of a trust managed by his parents, he purchased several investment properties in Australia and New Zealand. But the fairytale didn't last. Friends say he soon became immersed in a drug-fuelled lifestyle. Despite pleas from those close to him, Mr Winslet was drawn to people who used him for access to his drug supply. Things rapidly started to unravel, and in 2020, police raided his Adelaide home, seizing MDMA, cocaine, a firearm, and ammunition. He was convicted of drug and weapon charges and given a suspended jail sentence with a good behaviour bond. During sentencing, the judge pointed to the corrosive effects of sudden wealth, saying Mr Winslet had 'no motivation' to do anything but indulge. Photos from the home revealed a shocking descent — bongs, empty food containers, and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout a squalid mansion. Amid the chaos was a framed screenshot of the winning lottery ticket, now a haunting reminder of the win that changed everything. Friends described his paranoia, substance abuse, and emotional decline. One friend remembered warning him bluntly: 'You need to stop this or you're going to die.' He didn't listen. In late 2022, the tragedy that many feared came true. Mr Winslet died at home from health complications related to excessive drug use. His death, though unreported at the time, sent shockwaves through those who had tried to help him. Lifeline: 13 11 14. If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
The Powerball jackpot win that cost one Aussie his life
Just over five years ago, 22-year-old plumber Joshua Winslet had only $19 left in his bank account when he bought a last-minute ticket in a $100 million Powerball draw. Against all odds, he became the winner of a $22 million prize. Mr Winslet had endured a childhood of relentless bullying due to rare medical conditions, so the win was supposed to be a fresh start. He suffered from Duane syndrome and Goldenhar syndrome, congenital conditions that caused facial abnormalities, heart irregularities, and a single horseshoe-shaped kidney, according to the Daily Mail. Isolated and ridiculed throughout school, Mr Winslet left in Year 10 and later moved to New Zealand's South Island in search of work. Friends recall their disbelief when Mr Winslet called to share the good news. 'It was something that doesn't happen to someone like Josh,' one said. Initially, Mr Winslet handled his new wealth responsibly. With the help of a trust managed by his parents, he purchased several investment properties in Australia and New Zealand. But the fairytale didn't last. Friends say he soon became immersed in a drug-fuelled lifestyle. Despite pleas from those close to him, Mr Winslet was drawn to people who used him for access to his drug supply. Things rapidly started to unravel, and in 2020, police raided his Adelaide home, seizing MDMA, cocaine, a firearm, and ammunition. He was convicted of drug and weapon charges and given a suspended jail sentence with a good behaviour bond. During sentencing, the judge pointed to the corrosive effects of sudden wealth, saying Mr Winslet had 'no motivation' to do anything but indulge. Photos from the home revealed a shocking descent — bongs, empty food containers, and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout a squalid mansion. Amid the chaos was a framed screenshot of the winning lottery ticket, now a haunting reminder of the win that changed everything. Friends described his paranoia, substance abuse, and emotional decline. One friend remembered warning him bluntly: 'You need to stop this or you're going to die.' He didn't listen. In late 2022, the tragedy that many feared came true. Mr Winslet died at home from health complications related to excessive drug use. His death, though unreported at the time, sent shockwaves through those who had tried to help him. Lifeline: 13 11 14. If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Father to run 10 marathons in 10 days wearing 10kg vest in memory of daughter
A father is to run 10 marathons in 10 days while wearing a 10kg vest in memory of his baby daughter, who died from a heart condition. Pete Grimwade, 34, from Uckfield in East Sussex, is taking on his challenge to honour his daughter, Isabella, who died at 10 weeks old in September 2023 from a cardiac arrest, with the number 10 representing the 10 weeks of Isabella's life. The progressions manager at an IT firm will be running 10 consecutive marathons starting in Lewes on Friday and finishing with the London Marathon on April 27 all while raising money for 10 charities which supported Mr Grimwade and his wife, Charlotte, through their daughter's short life. He said the challenge has given him a 'new sense of purpose' after he attempted suicide months after Isabella's death. 'Isabella passed away and wasn't able to live her life. After I attempted to take my own (life), I realised I've got a chance here to live my life and live my best life for Isabella,' Mr Grimwade told the PA news agency. 'I hit rock bottom in December 2023, so not long after Isabella passed away. 'Since then, I've been struggling with a bit of a purpose, and this challenge has kind of given me a new sense of purpose.' He will be wearing a vest weighing 10kg to represent the 'heaviness' of losing a child. 'The 10kg vest is almost like carrying the burden of a bereaved parent, the loss and the heaviness of losing your child,' he said. Isabella was born on July 23 2023, with various health conditions, including atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), which are large holes in the wall or chambers of the heart. She was also born with scoliosis, Tessier cleft lip, ear and jaw deformities and was diagnosed with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare bone condition affecting the face and sometimes the back. One of the charities Mr Grimwade is supporting is the British Heart Foundation (BHF) after it provided him and his wife with 'so much information and support guidance around Isabella's heart condition'. 'I wanted to give back to the charities that supported us throughout the time we were in hospital with our daughter,' he said. He is also raising money for smaller charities, such as Goldenhar UK, which provides information and guidance about the condition, and CLAPA – Cleft Lip and Palate Association – which supports people born with cleft lips. Isabella was transferred from the Royal Sussex Hospital to Evelina London Children's Hospital, where she underwent heart surgery but died on September 30 2023 from cardiac arrest, which Mr Grimwade described as 'the worst feeling in the world for parents'. 'No one ever expects to have to say goodbye to their child, but also no one ever expects to watch their child die in front of you,' he said. He said he does not consider himself 'much of a runner' but said training for eight months to run long has helped to process his feelings of grief. 'For me, it's been a form of therapy in terms of letting my feelings out and just pushing my body and my mental ability to its limits,' he said. Mr Grimwade mapped out nine of his 10 marathons across Sussex and Kent, and will begin in Lewes, East Sussex, followed by Brighton, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Heathfield, Tonbridge, Hastings, Eastbourne and Seaford. The final leg of his challenge will be at the London Marathon. He hopes his experience will provide a sense of hope for parents going through similar hardships. 'I think there is always hope in life. There's always hope of something else or something more,' he said. 'We have to kind of build upon that idea of we can rebuild and move forward.' The charities Mr Grimwade will be running for are BHF, Bliss, Ronald McDonald House, 4Louis, The Early Birth Association, Goldenhar UK, CLAPA, Samaritans, Sands, and The Evelina London Children's Hospital. To find out more about Mr Grimwade's journey, you can visit: To donate to his fundraiser, you can visit:
