Mission 2483: Loxton/Parafield/Loxton

Initial Trip Request

Seven year old Jamie from Loxton North has an undiagnosed syndrome. Since the age of 6 months this young girl and her family have travelled to see numerous specialists for much needed investigation and treatment. Jamie has severe intellectual disability, severe Myoclonic Absence Epilepsy (was originally having up to 2000 seizures a day andnow nearly none) Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, Sensory processing dysfunction, unable to speak and doesn't understand most of what is said to her. She has to be fed through a PEG and has recently been hospitalised due to hematemesis.

Angel Flight took her to Adelaide as the Paediatricians in Adelaide needed to see her again to further investigate this bleed.

Angel Flight Leg 1

Pilot: Bonnie Smith
(6th Angel flight)

Earth Angel: Keith Arbon
(4th Angel flight)

Angel Flight Leg 2

Pilot: Neil Davis
(2nd Angel flight)

Earth Angel: Keith Arbon
(5th Angel flight)

Angel Flight Leg 3

Pilot: Kym Biddell
(1st Angel flight)

Earth Angel: Keith Arbon
(6th Angel flight)

Kym's Comments
"At a recent Christmas picnic I discussed Angel Flight with one of my work mates in regard to a friend of theirs living at Loxton and their sick daughter. Following this chat I supplied some more information which was sent to their friends. A few weeks later the request for the flight appeared on the mission billboard. It was great to hear from the Angel Flight team that I had been assigned the flight - my first. Due to interest in this flight by one of our local TV stations there were a few changes made all at short notice, those were all handled very well by Peta at Angel Flight and her help in general made everything a lot easier.

Little Jamie's mother Trish did a great job in front of the TV crew providing a great story and coverage for Angel Flight. I then had the great pleasure in flying them home to Loxton; unfortunately we were in for a bumpy trip which ended up in making Jamie sick and her mum also a bit uneasy. After landing at Loxton and giving my apologies, Trish even though still feeling a bit unwell, thanked all involved as it had made life so much easier by reducing travel time each way from 4.5hrs in the car to just on one by aircraft.

My first Angel Flight completed and one that will always stay with me. I guess that great feeling of knowing you're helping a family with its struggle to support a sick child is truly overwhelming. I look forward to my next Angel Flight mission and would be happy to take Trish and young Jamie again. Thanks to Peta at Angel Flight and Keith our Earth Angel for this trip and your help to both Trish and Jamie and to me."