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Hero Holly praised for call to help epileptic mum
A four-year-old girl has been hailed a hero after raising the alarm when her mum suffered a potentially fatal epileptic fit.
Brave Holly Wright called for help using a Careline pendant when her mum, Jemma Wright, was suffering from the fit at their home in Lostock.
The family has a Careline alarm system installed at their home and Holly was able to raise the alarm with our operators.
Jemma, 31, was diagnosed with Focal Epilepsy and Todd’s Paralysis in April and her seizures leave her temporarily paralysed as well as affecting her speech and memory.
The mum-of-one says she is very independent and didn’t like asking for help, but after suffering 14 seizures in just a fortnight left her hospitalised, she decided Careline, which is provided by Bolton at Home, would give her and her family extra reassurance.
She explains: “My mum spends a lot of time with me when my husband’s at work but Careline was the perfect answer to me feeling more independent. Doctors have told me that each seizure has the physical toll of running 10 marathons, so I need to know that Holly’s going to be safe if I’m unwell, and Careline eases my mind.
“The Careline team fitted my equipment and gave me a pendant to press if I need to call for help, but my condition means I don’t get warning signs before a seizure. So, when Holly came home from nursery I explained how she could call for help if she found me shaking.”
Just two days later, Jemma suffered a seizure but quick thinking Holly knew what to do and immediately sprang into action.
Holly said: “My mummy’s hands were shaking. I pushed my button, spoke to the lady and asked for nanna to come help.”
Careline Operator Sara Duxbury was able to see from medical notes that Jemma had epilepsy and called Jemma’s emergency contact, her mum Susan Addison. Sara reassured Holly that help was on the way and Holly relayed all the information back to Jemma.
Susan instantly went to the house and found Jemma lying on the couch with Holly comforting her.
Susan, said: “We’re so proud of Holly and she exceeds expectations for her age. Jemma could have choked, and Holly even wiped her mum’s face and did what she could to help her.”
Jemma added: “I’m very lucky to have such an amazing little girl and my family and friends are a great support network. Still, Careline is a lifesaver for me.”
For more information about Careline, click here.