It was a cold winter night in early July when Paige, just shy of 10 months old, was awoken by the cries of her daughter. As any mother would, I rushed to her room, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. It was part of my nightly routine to breastfeed Paige and soothe her back to sleep.
However, that night, my world would change in an instant. As I entered the room, I realized the crying wasn’t coming from her cot. In the dim light, I noticed a flicker of movement near the oil heater, which had been used to warm her room.
To my horror, I discovered that Paige had fallen out of her cot and that her hand was caught between the columns of the heater. Panicked, I immediately scooped her up and rushed to turn on the light.
What I saw left me in shock—her hand was shockingly white, the clear sign of a severe burn from prolonged contact with the heater. My heart sank as I called out for her father, Mark, who immediately took over the situation, taking Paige into a cold shower to stop the burning from worsening.
Knowing that every second counted, I quickly grabbed our 3-year-old son, placed him in the car, and raced to the hospital with Paige still in my arms. Upon arrival at the hospital, the emergency department staff quickly recognized the urgency of the situation. They ushered us back into the shower for continued first aid while preparing pain relief and mild sedation for Paige. We were devastated but incredibly thankful that our quick actions made all the difference.
After a thorough assessment, the hospital confirmed that Paige had sustained burns covering 2.5% of her body, including her chin, neck, torso, and right arm, with the most severe burns on her right hand. The severity of her injuries was clear, and our journey through recovery was about to begin.
Paige was transferred to the Perth Children’s Hospital Burn Service, where the medical team quickly initiated a treatment plan. Over the next two weeks, she underwent three surgeries, including debridement, RECELL (spray-on skin), and skin grafting.
The surgeries were crucial, and thanks to the gold-standard treatments she received, Paige’s recovery was nothing short of remarkable. The burns team’s efforts helped minimize scarring, and after a week of surgeries and healing, Paige was ready to begin outpatient care.
Our visits to the Burns Unit continued regularly for several months, during which Paige displayed incredible resilience. Despite her young age, she cooperated during dressing changes and wound care, assisting the nurses by helping remove her dressings and clean her wounds. Paige’s journey was difficult, but her spirit remained strong, and her will to heal was unmatched.
As Paige transitioned into toddlerhood, we began to notice some complications. Contractures developed in her right hand, causing tightness and restricted movement.
At 18 months, she underwent her first scar release and revision surgery, followed by another at three years old in January 2024. With the help of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team, Paige was fitted with custom splints to protect her wounds and aid in the stretching of her hand and fingers. Despite these challenges, Paige’s determination never wavered, and she continued to thrive.
Through her journey, we were fortunate to have the support of an incredible medical team at the Perth Children’s Hospital Burn Service. Their communication, support, and expertise have been essential in Paige’s recovery, and we are forever grateful for their care.
Even now, nearly three years later, Paige’s journey continues under the watchful eyes of her doctors, with the possibility of future surgeries on the horizon. Yet, we remain hopeful and confident in her strength and the dedication of her healthcare team.
Despite the severity of her burns, Paige has made remarkable progress. She can now make a pincer and pencil grip, and she is back to doing what she loves—drawing, coloring, and playing on the monkey bars, a feat I once thought impossible. Paige’s resilience and determination have never been more evident as she takes on new challenges every day.
Today, Paige leads a relatively normal life. She wears her scars proudly and is passionate about educating others on burn prevention and safety. As a young advocate for burns awareness, she is vigilant about sun safety and applying sunscreen to protect her skin and scars. Paige has also contributed to research through the Burn Injury Biobank project, providing samples to help researchers understand the psychological and physiological impacts of burn injuries.
As a parent and a paediatric nurse, I am deeply committed to sharing our story and promoting burns prevention and safety. This is why I am taking part in the Central Park Plunge 2024, to help raise awareness and funds for the Fiona Wood Foundation’s research and educational efforts. Paige’s story is a testament to resilience, and together, we can help ensure that more children like Paige receive the best care and treatments available.