Little patient says thanks

A MUM whose one-year-old son lost consciousness on suffering a seizure has praised paramedics for saving his life.

Torquay mum Benita Jamison and son Isaac, who lost consciousness in a seizure that lasted 30 minutes, was one of a number of Victorians asked to take part in Thank A Paramedic Day yesterday.

The day gives patients and the community a chance to thank paramedics, who often do not know the outcome of countless cases they attend.

Isaac was prone to febrile convulsions as a baby and often suffered small seizures lasting several minutes. In October 2016, the one-yearold started seizing. Ms Jamison assumed it was a febrile convulsion and, despite calling triple-0 as a precaution, was sure her son would be fine.

But this time was different — Isaac’s seizure was more aggressive and lasted longer. She started to panic. “This time in question his seizure didn’t stop. We’d already called the ambulance but by the time they got there he wasn’t very well,” Ms Jamison said.

“He was unconscious. They took one look at him and decided we needed to get moving straight away.”

Isaac was loaded into an ambulance by a team of medics including Torquay paramedic Brion Rafferty. But on the way to Geelong hospital his condition deteriorated and MICA paramedics took over.

“We met the MICA team and we transferred ambulance,” Ms Jamison said.

When Isaac reached Geelong hospital he was placed into an induced coma and transported to Royal Children’s Hospital.

There doctors determined he had viral meningitis and he was treated accordingly.

“An extreme side-effect of viral meningitis can be seizures,” she said.

More than a year on, Isaac, who is a twin, is a cheerful three-year-old who loves playing with cars.

Yesterday Mr Rafferty — who had last seen Isaac in a coma — was reunited with the bubbly boy.

Once Isaac was admitted to hospital the paramedics lost contact and did not know of the outcome until they received a letter from Ms Jamison.

“It was amazing, we don’t always get feedback with our jobs and it was a job that stuck in my mind,” Mr Rafferty said.

“Meeting Isaac was amazing — (the meeting) was very emotional and very personal.”

Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said while paramedics and volunteers did not expect to be thanked, they were grateful for messages of support and thanks they received.

“Days like today are also a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and acknowledge the important role they play in helping us to deliver the best care we can to those in need,” Associate Professor Walker said.

“It was amazing, we don’t always get feedback with our jobs and it was a job that stuck in my mind.” PARAMEDIC BRION RAFFERTY