10-year-old from Hastings, Scarlett Stockley, shared she is determined to run again with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) clinicians that helped saved her life after suffering a life-altering brain injury.
On 31 May 2024, Scarlett (nine-years-old at the time) attended her local gymnastics class unaware of what was about to happen. During a tumbling stunt, Scarlett suddenly felt unwell with a headache before collapsing.
Paramedic, Antonia Warrick, and Student Paramedic, Darren Campbell, arrived on scene within two minutes of the call to 999.
“Scarlett was fitting when we arrived on scene and I knew something was seriously wrong,” Antonia said. “Our priority was to stabilise her as quickly as possible and get her the urgent care she needed. It’s incredibly special to see how far she has come.”
“It was a really intense situation, especially knowing how young Scarlett was,” Darren added. “To see how well she is recovering - it’s moments like this which remind you why you do this job.”
The crew took Scarlett to Conquest Hospital where scans revealed an arteriovenous malformation (AMV) on her brain which required immediate life-saving surgery.
Only an hour after arriving at hospital, Paramedic, Chloe Lashmar, and Student Paramedic, Jaidan Perna, were dispatched to transport Scarlett and her mum, Laura, to Kings College Hospital in London where Scarlett underwent critical neurosurgery.
Chloe said: “Time was critical, so we focused on getting Scarlett and her mum safely to King’s College Hospital as quickly and smoothly as possible. Meeting Scarlett again and seeing her determination and positivity was amazing – she’s an inspiration to all of us.”
Scarlett’s mum, Laura, said: “I’m so thankful to everyone that has helped Scarlett. Our lives have completely changed since then but she is inspiring at how she has handled everything. It was lovely to meet the crews again in better circumstances and for Scarlett to meet some of the people who saved her life.”
It’s been a long road to recovery for Scarlett. Over the last year, she has undergone nine surgeries and rehabilitation for hemiplegia caused by the AVM impacting her mobility on one side of her body.
However, Scarlett showed her remarkable resilience when she and her mum met with Antonia, Darren, Chloe and Jaidan at a recent reunion at SECAmb’s Hastings ambulance station.
“When I can run, I won’t be walking round the house anymore!” Scarlett said, “I’m hoping I’ll be able to go back to gymnastics one day too.”
Scarlett was delighted to meet with the crews that helped save her life and got a special glimpse inside an ambulance and the chance to turn on the blue lights and sirens.