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06 December 2023
A Horsham primary school student’s calmness under pressure has helped his father get the medical attention he needed and earned praise from classmates.
Ss Michaels and Johns Primary School prep student Harry Wilson, 7, said a trip to an arcade in Geelong took a turn when his Dad started to feel unwell and had to lie down.
“Dad called an ambulance and they didn’t know where we were so I just waved my arms,” Harry said.
“Then they knew where we were and found the closest park possible.”
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Ambulance Victoria will present Harry with a ‘Little Hero’ certificate at a school assembly on Friday.
Harry’s mother, Jess, said Harry talked to emergency operators once the call was made, with his dad, Nick, disorientated from a kidney infection he has since recovered from.
“My husband sent me a photo of Harry sitting in the back of the ambulance first, before he sent me through what had happened, so I had an absolute heart attack thinking ‘what’s happened to Harry’,” Mrs Wilson said.
ACTION: Paramedic Amy Brown visited Ss Michaels and John’s Primary School assembly in Horsham on Friday to recognise student Harry Wilson, 7, for his quick actions in a medical emergency. Harry was visiting family in Geelong when his dad, Nick, became unwell with a kidney infection. The prep student remembered what he had learned when Ambulance Victoria visited the school earlier in the year and was able to flag down help for his dad, earning him a ‘Little Hero’ award. Mr Wilson has since recovered. Picture: SEAN O’CONNELL
“Harry helped as best he could. He got to ride in the ambulance to the hospital and he waited with them until my sister-in-law came and picked them up.
“I was so proud. When you are alone with one parent and that parent goes downhill, when you are seven years-old, that can be a bit scary.”
Harry said a previous visit to the school from Ambulance Victoria had reminded him of what to do in an emergency.
“I remembered to call 000 and I also remembered to help the paramedics with whoever is sick,” he said.
Harry said his friends at school were impressed with what he had done.
“They gave me a clap and they were very happy that my Dad isn’t very sick,” he said.
Mrs Wilson said Harry’s actions were all the more impressive because of his ADHD, which can sometimes be a ‘superpower’.
“Sometimes he gets very overwhelmed, so the fact that he kept it together and was able to support Nick and be comfortable around complete strangers was pretty phenomenal,” she said.
– Sean O’Connell
The entire December 6, 2023 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
