Ring, ring.
The school bell marked the end of recess, so 11-year-old Jake and his friends finished their basketball game and headed back to the classroom.
In a matter of moments, Jake, who was previously healthy and well, collapsed and suddenly stopped breathing. He was given CPR by a teacher as multiple ambulances rushed to save his life.
Jake was already on his way to The Children's Hospital at Westmead when his mum, Aleisha, received a phone call she will never forget.
I was at work when the distressing phone call came from the school. By the time I arrived at the hospital, Jake was just about to have surgery. I gave him a kiss and told him to be strong, but he was unconscious,” she said.
Jake was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformations (AVM), a condition where there is a tangle in blood vessels and form abnormal connections, disrupting blood flow and oxygen circulation. It led to an AVM disruption in his brain, resulting in seizures and stroke.
He spent three weeks in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) before being transferred to Commercial Travellers ward, where he has been for two months and counting. His arrival to the ward also marked the beginning of his rehabilitation journey with Kids Rehab.
Together with doctors and nurses, nine different allied health teams, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, child life therapy, orthotics, dietetics, and allied health assistants, are all working to support Jake’s recovery.
When physiotherapist Jessica Newham first saw Jake in Commercial Travellers ward, he was confused, unable to effectively communicate, and had minimal physical capacity.
Jessica, and her physiotherapy colleagues, have worked closely with the orthotists and occupational therapists to provide Jake with supportive equipment and assistive technology to enhance his independence. They’ve also worked with allied health assistants to increase his intensity of practice.
It's so rewarding to work with Jake and his family, and to see such positive change in Jake's abilities day after day. It's a real credit to the allied health team who work as a cohesive and communicative unit, and who have the utmost respect and admiration for one another,” Jessica said.
Occupational therapists have worked with Jake and his family to help him regain his independence in daily activities that include dressing, showering, returning to school and playing with his brother. They have also tailored a range of cognitive strategies, visual prompts and equipment to help him achieve his functional goals and get back to doing the things that he loves.
A broad range of Jake’s thinking skills have also been impacted following the stroke, some complex and presenting in unusual ways. He has difficulties with some language skills, visual perception skills, attention and memory. Neuropsychologist Sara Coombes is one of the allied health professionals supporting Jake in this area, alongside his occupational therapist and speech pathologist.
“My role is to assess Jake’s thinking and cognitive skills to help understand the changes and what areas he is having trouble with. I work together with our fellow allied health team members who are also involved in understanding and helping him with his thinking skills, to build the best picture of him that we can and guide his rehabilitation, Sara said.
Jake has made a remarkable turnaround thanks to the support of his multidisciplinary team. He is interactive, his memory is improving, he is well on the way to being independent with mobility and self-care and has his quirky sense of humour back.
Without a doubt, the allied health professionals have been truly exceptional. Jake's been making great progress, and it's all thanks to the fantastic team working tirelessly,” Aleisha said.
Although there is still a long road ahead, Aleisha is full of hope for Jake’s future.
“I can’t wait to see him regain his mobilities and for him to live a fulfilling life. I hope to see him reignite his dreams and I also hold hope for his emotional wellbeing, seeking happiness and ability to form meaningful relationships.
“I hope that Jake will be understood and accepted by society, embracing opportunities to participate fully in everyday activities. I hope to see resilience and strength in Jake, and that the challenges he faces today will shape him into an extraordinary individual with unique perspectives and his own life stories.”
On Allied Health Professionals Day, October 14, Aleisha and her family extend their heartfelt gratitude for their commitment to improving quality of lives.
“I want to thank them all for the hard work, unwavering compassion, positive impacts, and the difference they make every day.”