Harris reminded the players and the large crowd in attendance that club captain Matthew Pavlich told a young person’s story of courage 13 years ago in his first season of AFL.
The Fremantle Dockers, in association with the South Metropolitan Area Health Service, acknowledged 12 more young West Australians who have shown great courage on the wards of either Fremantle Hospital, Rockingham General Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital or Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital in the past 12 months.
The 19th year of Bravery Awards saw new Freo recruits Jack Hannath, Tanner Smith, Max Duffy, Josh Simpson, Alex Howson, Matt Taberner and Craig Moller tasked with presenting the stories.
And as always, the stories touched all those in attendance.
The day was of particular significance for 13-year-old Declan Hathaway-Rowe, who found out in 2000 that he has just a single kidney.
It was exactly one year ago today that his baby sister, Hayley, sadly passed away. Hayley had tragically contracted Meningococcal Disease.
Declan was given a nice surprise by his player, Hannath, who announced the youngster would be the Docker 4 a Day and run out with the team this Saturday at Patersons Stadium for the match against Brisbane.
Declan was seen on his phone soon after the event had been completed, telling family and friends about it.
Craig Moller read out the story of Zane Johnson, who suffered a serious collision at baseball practice that resulted insevere pain and an urgent trip to Fremantle Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Zane began the day undecided between supporting Freo or the West Coast Eagles, but he told Moller there was no doubt who he’d be going for now. He was a Freo Docker for life.
Hannath said the event was an emotive experience for him and the other recruits.
“The Bravery Awards have been going since the club’s inception and it’s a really special day,” he said.
“It’s something the kids will be able to cherish and something they and their families will be able to take a lot out of.
“It was a great experience.”
Here are the inspirational stories:
Declan Hathaway-Rowe, Piara Waters - 13 years old
13-year-old Declan is unfortunately very familiar with various hospitals throughout Perth after finding out in 2000 that he was living with multicystic dylplacia – which means he has a single kidney.
This in itself is a very significant condition, but Declan also suffers from other health complications associated with thecondition which is the reason he’s perhaps known as a bit of a frequent flyer in the kids hospital circles.
But it was his June 2012 stay at Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital that was perhaps his hardest to bear. It was exactly one year ago today that his baby sister, Hayley, sadly passed away. Hayley had tragically contracted Meningococcal Disease – which was absolutely devastating for the very close family.
It was especially heartbreaking for Declan to be in Armadale Hospital, while Hayley was in Swan Districts. But somehow he and the family managed to get through this awful time.
Mum, Julie, tells us that Declan makes her proud to be his mum every day. He takes daily medication and is somehow able to smile throughout. Julie says that Declan surprises her constantly and she really doesn’t know how he’s been able to get through some pretty dark days.
Despite dealing with his illnesses and the passing of four very significant people in his life, Declan has been able to achieve mathematics excellence at school and last year was ranked in the top 25 per cent of mathematical excellence students in Australia and New Zealand. This is nothing short of inspirational.
Jack Hoffman, Warnbro - 9 years old
Earlier this year Jack was excited to be taking part in a State T-ball event. Little did he know that after his fifth game for the day – he would receive a blood transfusion and spend the next 12 days in hospital.
A rogue spinning ball was the culprit at the State event – and Jack didn’t see it coming. His first ever ride in an ambulance was from Rockingham Hospital to Fremantle Hospital, where medical staff discovered he was suffering from severe arterial nosebleeds that needed immediate attention.
He ended up staying in hospital for the next week and then had a short stay at home, but the bleeds continued. So after a few more day-trips to hospital, he eventually found himself facing an operation that was usually performed on much older patients – so it was quite rare for a child like Jack.
This seemed to do the trick, and with the bleeding under control, he was able to go home. His mum tells us that he was nothing short of amazing.
Most of the bleeds happened in the early hours of the morning and Jack simply took them in his stride. He surprised his mum Bronwyn and dad Greg with how calm and brave he was. His hospital stay meant he endured many things, including having lots of things placed inside his nose.
Jack has since got his sports clearance from his doctor so he can get back into it. He recently tried out for school hockey and is keen to get back out onto the T-Ball field when the 2013 season starts in October.
Thomas Mellor, Warnbro - 16 years old
At the beginning of last year, Tom and his family immigrated from the UK to Australia. It was to be the start of the great Aussie dream, as they say, but the family never dreamed that only three weeks into their stay Tom would be admitted to Fremantle and Rockingham hospitals with a perforated appendix, a hole in his duodenum and eventually have part of his colon removed.
He then developed septic shock and spent five days in intensive care, before returning to the general ward for the next 50 days. All of these complications meant Tom couldn’t eat or drink normally for seven weeks. But despite feeling pretty miserable he didn’t make too much of a fuss.
Mum Nikki tells us that Tom’s phone and TV were lifesavers on the longer days in hospital, especially because most of Tom’s mates were on the other side of the world.
Nikki says it was a tough ordeal for all of them, especially Tom, but she lost count of how many times she found herself in awe of his ability to simply get on with it and get better. She puts it down to Tom being a lovable kid and not one to make a fuss.
Nikki says the care he received at Fremantle Hospital was the best she could hope for and he was in the best place possible at the time.
Although he’s sporting a fairly impressive scar, Tom’s doing really well now and shouldn’t face any long-term effects from his illness.
He’s settled into the Aussie lifestyle, taking advantage of the ocean and fishing and is now looking forward to a happy, healthy life in Australia.
Zane Johnson, Waikiki - 15 Years old
15-year-old Zane Johnson loves his baseball. Up until earlier this year he was heavily involved in the specialist baseball program at his high school and was also training with the State team.
A serious collision at practice resulted in severe pain and an urgent trip to Fremantle Hospital’s Emergency Department. Zane was told he had a traumatic laceration to his pancreas and liver and needed to have part of his pancreas surgically removed.
It was a really serious injury and very scary for the family. It was particularly hard for his parents Glenda and Steve to watch him in such pain but both said he was amazing throughout it all – including the days when he could only be fed via a nasogastric tube which led to him losing a significant 13 kilograms during his hospital stay.
His mum Glenda says Zac took all the injections and tubes in his stride and accepted what needed to be done. Despite having some pretty awful treatment, he was always welcoming and polite to the medical staff.
We’re told Zane is an incredibly talented sportsman and really into his fitness – even heading to his local gym four times a week to train and get ready for the next baseball season.
Camila Cufre, Morley – 15 years old
Unfortunately 15-year-old Camila Cufre is no stranger to pain or the hospital system.
Around six years ago she began experiencing pelvic pain and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and stress fractures. Last year she was admitted to the Fremantle Hospital Children’s Ward for a triple pelvic osteotomy, which was basically a hip operation that would enable her to walk, stand pain-free and live a normal life.
The surgery was three years in the making, with Camila arriving to live in Australia only 18 months ago from South America with the plan to have the surgery here. Her dad, Alex, arrived before Camila and her mum, Alejandra, to organise the surgery and get things arranged for his daughter.
Prior to the operation Camila wasn’t able to walk 10 minutes without experiencing pain, and the nurses and physiotherapists tell us that Camila was very brave when the time came to mobilise her after the surgery.
Despite initially finding it very hard to walk and work through the pain, Camila’s ‘can-do’ attitude really shone through and got her to where she is today – a happy, positive teenager who can walk up to a couple of hours at a time using very minimal medication.
Camila was able to be discharged home on crutches after one week, however she endured another six weeks of intense physiotherapy post-surgery.
Dad Alex tells us Camila continues to improve and he couldn’t be more proud of how she’s overcome this major obstacle in her life, while at the same time embracing a new country so positively.
He’s extremely happy that Camila has made many friends and never let her hip dysplasia affect her.
Amy Alvaro, Manning - 6years old
Only two months ago six-year-old Amy Alvaro was very unwell over several days. She was admitted to the Fremantle Hospital Children’s ward via Princess Margaret Hospital Emergency Department, where she was treated for a kidney infection and pneumonia.
Amy was very ill with continued high fevers and loin pain, so she had to undergo a lot of blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds to find out why she was so sick.
It’s a big deal for a six-year-old to endure lots of needles at any one time, and it’s especially painful to experience an injection in your leg, but that’s exactly what Amy bravely endured.
What began with a passing comment that her back was sore on the Sunday afternoon, ended with Amy in the Children’s Ward at Fremantle.
Amy’s mum Chantal said she knew Amy was sick when she complained of the pain – because she quite simply never complained about anything like that before.
Chantal tells us that Amy accepted the needles and tests like no one she’s known and was constantly trying to be positive, even commenting to mum that hospital was ‘fun’ because something new happens every day.
Amy went back to school after spending two weeks recovering at home. She’s back to her normal self now, preferring to spend time drawing, painting, dancing and singing.
Stephanie Little, Orelia - 8 years old
When eight-year-old Stephanie Little was admitted to Rockingham General Hospital with a headache, earache and temperature in November last year, she could never have known that these symptoms were signs of something very serious.
Stephanie was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and mastoiditis and had to be transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment. While in hospital Stephanie endured swelling of the brain, headaches, nausea, vomiting and body stiffness. The nursing staff said she showed incredible bravery to endure many painful needles and tests during her five-day stay in hospital.
To ease the stiffness in her body she had intensive physiotherapy, which was also quite painful.
Stephanie had to endure all of this treatment as a first-timer in hospital, which makes her nomination even more significant. Her mum Sheree said she was amazed with how well she coped, considering it was her first hospital experience.
Following hospital, Stephanie had five weeks off school and couldn’t wait to see her friends again. It’s great to know Stephanie has made a full recovery and is now back to her cheeky self – keeping her mum, sister and two brothers on their toes.
Rachelle Bonser, Pinjarra - 15 years old
Fifteen-year-old Rachelle Bonser was admitted to Rockingham General Hospital in April for surgery to remove nasal pollips, which were affecting her breathing. The nursing staff said Rachelle lost a lot of blood during the operation and narrowly avoided needing a blood transfusion.
She remained calm during significant post-operative bleeding which was uncomfortable and must have been very frightening. The huge blood loss caused anaemia, which drained Rachelle of strength and energy. She was also diagnosed with glandular fever a few months before her operation which has complicated her recovery.
Along with the nursing staff, Rachelle’s mum Sharon thought Rachelle was extremely brave and is proud of how well she coped in very challenging circumstances. She is still on the mend but is steadily regaining her strength.
Rachelle is a talented singer who has toured with the Australian Youth Choir and is in the Pinjarra High School jazz band. Now that she can breathe a whole lot better, she is really looking forward to getting back into singing and is also learning to play the drums.
Lennard Butler, Port Kennedy - 13 years old
In November last year, Lennard Butler developed a painful lump on his leg.
The pain got progressively worse and he was taken to Rockingham General Hospital where doctors discovered a large abscess on his tibia. He was admitted to the paediatric ward and underwent surgery to remove the abscess.
Lennard’s mum Kylie says he maintained a positive attitude throughout his hospital stay, including the surgery, which was quite daunting. The nursing staff said Lennard had to have many painful dressings after his surgery. He listened closely to the advice of the doctors and nurses and was very careful with his wound dressings to minimise the chance of infection.
Lennard is a keen football player and, like many of us who have suffered an injury or illness, he was anxious to get out and play. However, he waited patiently until given the all clear by doctors, which gave his leg the best chance of healing properly.
It’s great to hear Lennard’s leg is now in great shape and he’s back to his energetic self, playing football for Warnbro High School and enjoying his other hobbies motorbike riding and fishing.
Brandon Pearsall, Southern River - 4 years old
Brandon Pearsall is four years old and has been nominated for the remarkable bravery he showed throughout his treatment for kidney stones last year.
Brandon began having stomach pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea over Christmas, which was worrying for his family. The pain got worse and he was taken to Armadale Hospital, before being transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital where he underwent three surgeries over the New Year period.
It was Brandon’s first ever stay in hospital and the nursing staff report that he showed incredible bravery and maturity for his very young age. As well as the operations, which were quite distressing, he had to endure countless needles, tests and procedures throughout his diagnosis and treatment. Brandon was well behaved the whole time and did everything that was asked of him despite being in excruciating pain.
His mum Emma says Brandon is her “little hero” and his whole family is extremely proud of the strength and bravery he showed throughout his ordeal. It was certainly a Christmas the Pearsall family will not forget.
Brandon has now made a full recovery and is enjoying being back at kindy with his friends.
Austin Trezise, Bicton - 6 years old
Austin Trezise had a long bout of illness last year, resulting in four admissions to Fremantle Hospital Children’s Ward and several visits to Princess Margaret Hospital. It started with a severe case of tonsillitis, which required Austin to have intravenous antibiotics. The antibiotics caused an allergic reaction and swelling of his face. He then developed septic arthritis in his knee and was later admitted with a fever,stomach pain and swollen glands. His mum Melissa says he is still struggling with lethargy and is undergoing tests to find out what has caused these illnesses.
Nurses at Fremantle Hospital say Austin was very brave throughout each of his hospital stays, despite being so unwell for such a long time. He was the ideal patient, listening to the doctors and nurses and enduring many painful needles and tests. It has been an emotional journey for Austin and his family, who are extremely proud of how well he has coped.
Austin loves footy and plays Auskick for the Melville Hawks. Unfortunately he missed a lot of games last year due to his illness but is now joining in when he feels well enough. Austin wants to bejust like Pav when he grows up and with the bravery he has shown, he would make a great addition to any footy team.
