BABY, THIS IS MY CALLING
WHEN Aaron Annable and wife Kate were told their unborn child had a bleed on the brain at 36 weeks their lives were thrown into chaos.
The Mudgeeraba couple was sent straight to the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane for an early C-section at 37 weeks.
“We were given dire outcomes by doctors so weren’t sure what to expect but we were relieved when she was born crying because it means she was breathing on her own,” said Mr Annable.
Baby Ruby spent 18 nights in the special care nursery as doctors drained fluid from her brain cavity and once she was sent home there were countless trips to Brisbane for more treatment.
Ruby now lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, vision impairment and left side hemiplegia.
Mr Annable was so moved by the compassion and dedication nurses showed while caring for his daughter that he decided one day he’d become a nurse.
And when the world changed because of COVID, the call centre manager did just that by starting a Diploma of Nursing through TAFE Queensland. “Watching how healthcare providers assisted in supporting and improving my daughter’s life gave me the drive to want to give back and do the same for others,” he said.
The 35-year-old, who also has a four-year-old son Heath, said he did not know why he waited so long to get back studying.
“I was very apprehensive as I hadn’t studied since high school, but TAFE Queensland has provided great flexibility which has allowed me to study at my own pace while continuing to work to support my family,” he said.
Mr Annable will graduate in December 2021 and plans to study to become a registered nurse.