A two-year-old Kelmscott girl involved in a rush to hospital was one of two local young people recognised when Fremantle Football Club and the South Metropolitan Area Health Service held the annual Bravery Awards last week.
Amelia Prike was 16 months old when her parents took her to the emergency department at Armadale Hospital with breathing difficulties and a fever.
X-rays revealed she had bronchialitis and pneumonia and she had to be admitted to the children’s ward, where she was on oxygen for five days.
Hospital staff were very impressed by Amelia’s patience and composure, especially for someone so young.
The other local award recipient was Dean Hansen (15) of Seville Grove, who was also recognised for his composure and courage during a hospital stay.
In January Dean was rushed to hospital when a bamboo stick, which was thrown in a game, penetrated his left leg.
At the emergency department, staff removed the bamboo and bandaged Dean before he went home.
Unfortunately, the wound became infected overnight, causing a fever and requiring Dean had to go back to hospital.
Dean had to have surgery to treat the infected wound and stayed in hospital for two weeks, including for his birthday.
He has recovered and is back playing football for Clontarf Football Academy, which runs a special football program for indigenous high school children.
Now in its 15th year, the awards recognise the bravery of children and young adults passing through the wards of hospitals in the south metropolitan area.
Hosted by Fremantle Football Club, first year players including Stephen Hill, Nic Suban and Matt de Boer met award recipients at last week’s presentations.