Fremantle and the South Metropolitan Area Health Service (SMAHS) have developed a unique relationship through the awards that has been building since the club's inception in 1995.
The annual bravery awards which are hosted by Fremantle players recognise not only the bravery of the children and young adults, but are held in admiration of the amazing strength and determination of these special people who for one reason or another pass through the wards of Hospitals within the SMAHS.
This year’s recipients are from Hospitals across SMAHS including Fremantle Hospital, Rockingham/Kwinana District Hospital, Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital.
The awards were given by the some of Fremantle's younger players who form part of the club's development group, including Marcus Drum, Garrick Ibbotson, Robert Warnock, Benet Copping, Joe Krieger and Jack Juniper.
The first and second year players were all pleased to be involved with these inspirational young West Australians and the players told the stories of each patient’s outstanding bravery during their hospitalisation and acknowledged the often long recovery process some have faced and still face today.
"It certainly gives you a different perspective on life thats for sure," said Marcus Drum.
"Hearing the stories brings you back down to earth, we read about the children before this morning's presentation and you probably don't think about it too much until you see the people themselves."
"There are some pretty remarkable stories and they are very brave individuals," he said.
This year’s Bravery Awards honoured some of the bravest children seen over the last eleven years.
Robert Cavallaro (16) was a keen BMX rider before an accident on his BMX left him with a badly lacerated spleen. As a result Robert was given a total ban on contact sport for six months. Robert was very ill and in acute pain and was initially nursed at Fremantle Hospital’s Nurse Specials Unit, which provides one-on-one nursing care. He has been nominated for his endurance and a positive and mature attitude in regard to his recovery by staff on the Paediatric Ward.
Mel Fokkema(18) woke up one morning feeling unwell but by the end of the day she had been diagnosed with Meningicoccal Septicaemia resulting in the amputation of all four limbs in successive operations. Mel is a long-term patient at Royal Perth Hospital’s Shenton Park Rehabilitation Branch where she stays to have daily physiotherapy and wound changes. She goes home on the weekends to be with her family returning to Hospital for daily dressing changes. Mel was recommended for this award by several staff at Royal Perth Hospital who cared for her during her long journey towards recovery. She was a patient in the Burns Unit for three months where staff said she was hugely motivated and good-natured. Staff also commented that whenever Mel was having a bad day she would find some way to cheer herself up and find some positives to her future.
Dylan Riley (7) has had four admissions to hospital since September last year when he was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome which his medical and nursing teams are still trying to bring under control. Nephrotic Syndrome can seriously damage the kidneys and is treated with steroids. Treating his condition is a bit like a very rough footy match for Dylan – lots of painful tackles and injuries and a very strict recovery programme. The nursing staff at Rockingham/Kwinana District Hospital and Fremantle Hospital noticed Dylan because he didn’t make a fuss and he didn’t complain – he has a fighting spirit and he remains determined to get well. Dylan also makes great efforts to maintain his school work in Hospital with his teachers bringing in work for him when he is well enough.
Eric Mare (14) was first admitted to Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital after a dramatic weight loss where testing revealed that he had Crohns Disease. Eric will need long-term medication to bring the disease under control. The staff at the Hospital, some of whom are here today to support you Eric, all speak of a courageous young man accepting his condition bravely. Eric was transferred to Fremantle Hospital for surgery and although acutely ill, he rarely complained and was polite to everyone despite his obvious pain and discomfort.
Bryce Meredith (17) has had many admissions to Fremantle Hospital and was diagnosed with Crohns Disease in September last year. He has also come through complex surgical procedures. According to the people close to him, Bryce has always been able to handle his condition well, talking honestly and openly to his friends and family about his condition and getting on with his life with a positive attitude. Despite missing a lot of school during Year 12, Bryce managed to keep his studies going and graduate from high school. The staff at Fremantle Hospital praised Bryce’s approach to his illness and the many hurdles he overcame commenting on his mature and positive attitude.
Mitchell Jacob (14) was diagnosed with Crohns Disease in January 2005. Mitchell had laparoscopic surgery for his condition at Fremantle Hospital in April and is making a steady recovery. During his illness Mitchell endured chronic pain and weight loss. His illness severely impacted on his schooling and physical activity but through all this Mitchell continues to be quietly positive and determined.
Gabrielle Petersen (7) is still a keen angler despite a very painful accident while fishing in Safety Bay. Gabrielle presented at Rockingham/Kwinana District Hospital – Emergency department before being sent to have emergency surgery at Fremantle Hospital in March to remove a fish hook from her left eye lid and to repair another injury sustained as a result of the accident. She also had to go back to theatre the next day to have the wound resutured. The nursing staff recommended Gabrielle for her bravery.
Christian Lau (10) has had several admissions over the last two years to the Paediatric Ward at Fremantle Hospital with eczema, multiple allergies and their side effects on his eyes, nose and throat. He also lives with asthma and takes several medications to treat his symptoms which understandably have impacted on his school work and sporting life. Christian lives with his condition every day with courage and optimism driving him to recovery and although he makes several trips to clinics at Fremantle Hospital each month he always remains positive
Rachel Jones (2) turns three in September and her birthday will be full of celebrations for a little girl who has been through so much already. Rachel has Epilepsy and had her first seizure when she was only four months old. Naturally this has been a difficult time for her family with many admissions to Fremantle Hospital. Rachel may not be fully aware of her own situation but her big smile is inspirational to the nursing and allied health staff that care for her. There is a long road ahead for Rachel who will undergo speech therapy and physiotherapy to help her catch up on some missed areas of her development as a result of the Epilepsy.
Joash Tanmouh (15) hasn’t been in Australia very long but his story has touched many hearts not least those in the Paediatric unit at Fremantle Hospital’s specialist Refugee Clinic who help refugee families with their health and social issues when they first arrive in WA. Joash and his family are from Liberia in north-west Africa and settled in WA in December 2005. Joash was rescued when he was literally on the verge of death from malnutrition and multiple infections. A mission worker stationed at the refugee camp stepped in and saved his life helping Joash recover enough to travel to Australia with his family. Regular health checks and a healthy lifestyle aided by dieticians, nurses and medical staff at the Fremantle Hospital Refugee Clinic have helped Joash begin his new life in better health and with confidence.
Don't miss the coverage of the Bravery Awards this Saturday, 20 May at 3.30pm on Channel Ten's Western Front.
