MY GIRL ALMOST DROWNED
A GOLD Coast mother has spoken about the horrifying moment she discovered her seven-year-old daughter Lily lifeless at the bottom of a pool.
Gemma Young said the ordeal was “the worst thing my family has ever experienced”.
Ms Young’s daughter survived – but many others don’t – and now she is lending her voice to the Gold Coast Bulletin’s campaign calling on the State Government to fund compulsory certified swim programs in the state’s primary schools.
GEMMA Young would prefer not to be telling her story.
“It’s not something I like thinking or talking about,” the Labrador mother says of the day her seven-year-old daughter was found lifeless on the bottom of a pool.
“People said I was screaming but I don’t remember that at all. It was quite an ordeal … it’s the worst thing my family has ever experienced.
“I spoke about this (publicly) once before and I copped criticism, but I’ll still talk about it because it’s so important to raise awareness.”
The last time Gemma shared the tale of how little Lily drowned – and survived – she was promoting the need for parents to not only learn CPR but always watch their young children in water even if they can swim and other adults are ‘supervising’.
Now she is lending her voice to the Gold Coast Bulletin’s campaign calling on the State Government to fund compulsory certified swim programs in the state’s primary schools.
“That’s one of the reasons I love Labrador State School so much,” Gemma said of the fact Lily, now 9, and brother Thom, 5, receive free weekly swimming lessons as part of their curriculum.
“At other schools you may have to pay for transport and the lessons themselves. At Labrador it’s just part of their day.
“Lily was terrified of swimming again (after the drowning) … but she’s no longer nervous at all.”
Lily’s near-death experience unfolded in December 2015 when, after a hectic morning celebrating her birthday, she joined friends in a Surfers Paradise pool at a party.
Other adults were watching over them but it didn’t take long for Lily, who knew how to swim, to become tired and sink. Completely limp, she was resuscitated by an adult before spending a night in hospital.
“It was the worst day of my life and also the luckiest because it could have been so much worse,” Gemma said.
“My heart goes out every time I hear of a child drowning because I can’t imagine how hard that must be for their parents.”
Gemma knows that in an ideal world there would be no need for schools to provide swimming lessons. She also knows this is not an ideal world.
“Paying for swimming lessons every week isn’t a big deal for some people but it can be for a lot of parents,” she said.
“I know you’re mitigating risk but depending on circumstances, some people have to consider simple things like buying food and paying bills.
“We did private lessons and it was expensive. We also didn’t have a car at the time and we’d have to catch the bus and then walk 20 minutes to the pool with a stroller.
“It’s not always easy and that’s why school lessons have been so great for my children. It’s given them the basics and helped build their confidence in the water.
“I wish all schools could have what we do.”