Farming rescue in the Great Southern

Albany mum-of-three, Kate Mitchell, was looking forward to morning tea and her boys having a nap after a busy Monday morning on the farm.

“Mummy, mummy! Come look at Darcy!” Kate recalls three-year-old Harry calling out to her. Kate said she found her 18-month-old baby boy in a way that parents never hope to find their child.

“Darcy was blue and frothing at the mouth. I kicked into gear and started CPR and I got him back, but it felt like an eternity. I called an ambulance and threw him in the ute to get help,” she said.

Two weeks later and Darcy suffered another seizure. The family found out later Darcy had suffered a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure, usually caused by epilepsy.

“Time is not your friend when your baby is experiencing seizures and you desperately need answers,” Kate said.

“Driving five hours to Perth or flying commercially with no medical support wasn’t an option, so we decided to head straight to Albany Hospital.

“We knew at the hospital that we were in the right place if something was to happen.”

The next morning while at Albany Hospital, Kate says Darcy experienced another seizure, his third in two weeks.

“He was screaming, it was really scary,” she said. “I ran into the corridor and screamed for help.”

Hours later, Kate and Darcy were making their way to Perth Children’s Hospital onboard an RFDS aircraft under the watchful eye of a doctor and flight nurse who monitored Darcy throughout the flight.

“I don’t know how to explain how grateful I am to Pilot Matt, Nurse Ali and Doctor Albi for getting us so quickly and safely to a pediatric neurologist in Perth,” Kate said.

“I was so well cared for and supported during this emotional time. They knew how everything was heightened for me and they were so calm and reassuring. I knew they understood the situation and I felt safe.

“Also, I can’t believe how small the plane is and how much equipment is in there and how the doctors and nurses work in such a small space!” After spending a week at Perth Children’s Hospital undergoing tests, Darcy was discharged. He is medicated twice daily for epilepsy and Kate carries an emergency drug with her.

“Although I was terrified about coming back to the farm, I knew I had the medication we needed, some answers, first-aid training and the support of the RFDS –our angels in the sky. I’m glad our family is back in our happy place.”