Fit and healthy Bendigo teenager Harriet Caldwell suffers shocking spinal stroke

A determined 13-year-old girl who suffered a shocking medical episode is working hard to regain movement in her legs. See how the community is supporting her.

Bendigo teenager Harriet Caldwell, 13, suffered a shocking spinal stroke. Picture: Supplied

A fit and healthy 13-year-old Bendigo girl has suffered a rare spinal cord stroke while warming up for a basketball match.

Harriet Caldwell felt a popping sensation while doing stretches and quickly lost feeling in her lower limbs, prompting a diagnosis that has sent shockwaves through her family.

Her school and community has rallied around the family, by supporting its GoFundMe page and sending cards, flowers and messages of support.

Her father Tim Caldwell said the stroke, which occurred on May 4, was completely unexpected and at first the family first thought a lie down in bed would help.

However, it quickly became clear that an ambulance was needed.

“We were still at home at the time and getting ready to go to basketball and Harriet was doing her stretches,” he said.

“She felt a small pop in her back and she hit the deck.

“She was in a lot of pain and looked absolutely shocked, she had no feeling from the waist down.”

Harriet was taken to the Bendigo Health emergency room and then transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Mr Caldwell said specialists there were able to diagnose the stroke.

“The doctors said it was basically waiting to happen and could have gone at any time,” he said.

“She could have been walking or doing anything and it would have happened.”

Harriet has been working hard with a team of physiotherapists and has seen encouraging results.

“She’s at the Royal Children’s Hospital and working to strengthen her right leg and on her left leg she has seen her able to wiggle her toe which gives us all hope and positivity,” Mr Caldwell said.

Harriet’s mum Rhian is staying with her at the hospital, while her dad and younger sister Darci are spending time at the Ronald McDonald House nearby.

Mr Caldwell and his wife rely on the income from their mobile coffee truck business and he said they had been moved by the community’s support which made it easier for them to stay by their daughter’s side.

“Harriet’s school Victory Christian College, Bendigo and even her old school St Francis have been so supportive,” he said.

“They’ve sent lovely things – they’ve really gone above and beyond. We’ve even had support from people we don’t know and I don’t really know what to say other than ‘thank you so much’.”

The coffee business, Coffee Storm, is well known for its fundraising activities for regional schools, clubs and other organisations.