Brave Emily helps little brother in emergency

A year ago Emily Wren, who has autism and neurofibromatosis-1 could barely turn a lock in a key but intensive therapies meant when her brother suffered a serious medical episode she was able to help save his life. This is her story.

Emily (right) helped ambulance officers after her brother Liam (left) suffered a shocking seizure. Photo. Andrea Macleod.

WHEN Emily Wren’s little brother Liam suffered a seizure recently it was his heroic sister who stepped in and made sure the ambulance officers could get access to their home.

She rang her dad, Michael, to let him know what was happening while her mum, Kellie, dialled triple-0 and stayed with Liam, who had suffered a frightening febrile seizure.

When ambulance officers arrived at their Grange home it was Emily who opened the front gate and led them in.

“It was pretty strange and bad,” Emily said.

“Liam was just sitting down and staring in the position he had been sleeping. It was a bit worrying.”

While the emergency unfolded and Liam recovered, it wasn’t until afterwards the family took stock of all Emily had done.

It had only been months earlier that the brave 10-year-old, who has autism and neurofibromatosis-1, had been unable to even open a door by herself or turn a lock in a key.

Not until she began intensive therapies through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) had she been able to improve her hand strength to manage what most people take for granted.

“I was just so incredibly proud of what she had done, particularly in that high pressure situation,” Mrs Wren said.

Thanks to new therapies Emily Wren was able to hep her brother in a medical emergency and is now enjoying being able to paint and draw. Photo Andrea Macleod.

From helping her brother in the emergency to learning to skip and being able to use her new found strength to create artworks for the first time, Emily is the first to say life is so much better now.

“Before I just could not turn a lock in a key. Now I can,” she said.

“I love skipping and art. I love drawing things that are cute and I love handball.”

Not only have her physical abilities improved but the budding artist says she now has lots of friends, something she struggled with before accessing the NDIS supported therapies.

“She has just made such great leaps forward this year,” Mrs Wren said.

“Seeing her blossom and seeing she can do things for herself and interact with her peers is so rewarding.
“Just little things like opening a door without needing someone else. It sounds little but it makes such a difference in what she can do.

“And for Emily she is not on the disability spectrum that is very severe so often it could be easily missed. She has gone from someone who was coping okay to thriving and the changes have been huge.”

Emily is supported by Carers Queensland, NDIS Partner in the Community for the Brisbane region.

To find out more on the NDIS and the Local Area co-ordination program, visit Carers Queensland NDIS Local Area co-ordination Partner in the Community Program for the Brisbane Region at 120 Chalk Street, Lutwyche 4030.

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636 or [e-mail]