Naomi and James have always loved exploring Australia with their young boys - but their experience when baby Willow struggled to breathe on a camping trip made them realise the importance of life-saving care no matter where you are in Australia.
Camping at Menindee Lakes, 115 kilometres from Broken Hill, was an exciting adventure for the whole family, including three-month-old Willow. But not long into the trip, little Willow began having difficulty breathing.
“Willow became lethargic and was really working to breathe,” said Naomi. “There had been a pollen outbreak, and I thought Willow might be getting asthma, like his brother, Ashley and myself.”
When he couldn’t drink his bottles because he was struggling to breathe, James drove Willow and Naomi to Menindee Hospital where Naomi describes the tense moments before the Flying Doctor was called.
“Willow was rushed in for assessment, and we were told he needed more help. An ambulance from Broken Hill would take far too long, so an RFDS flight to Broken Hill Hospital was arranged. They carried my baby on and off the plane like he was the most prized possession.”
Willow was diagnosed with a Floppy Larynx, where the cartilage in an infant’s larynx collapses inward during inhalation. His breathing improved immensely with an oral steroid, and the next day, the family headed straight to Sydney for further treatment.
You turned a scary situation into one where Naomi felt comforted that her baby was going to be okay. “It was like a big warm hug at a stressful time. This is what the Flying Doctor do; help people in sticky situations when help isn’t readily available,” Naomi said.
Willow has just turned three. His larynx is no longer floppy and there is no sign of asthma. And after an adventure in the Simpson Desert last year, the family is now planning a trip to Cape York. He is a strong, healthy and adventurous toddler, thanks to you!
Willow’s family will be forever grateful to you for the emergency retrieval that helped their little boy. Thank you for caring so much about delivering urgent healthcare to families in the bush.
