Domestic violence victim joins Cranbourne paramedics after they saved her life
After surviving a life-threatening domestic violence attack, Luanne Willingham knew the only way forward was to thank the paramedics who rescued her — by becoming one herself. Read her courageous story.
South East
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A domestic violence victim whose life was saved by paramedics has graduated from Ambulance Victoria to join Cranbourne’s courageous first-responders.
In 2001 Luanne Willingham was a victim of a violent domestic assault, which left her in a coma and with serious injuries.
Ms Willingham, of Aspendale Gardens, graduated as a paramedic on March 3 from Ambulance Victoria.
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She said the horrifying event became a driving ambition.
“I was seriously assaulted and paramedics saved my life, so the best way to thank them was to become a paramedic myself, and do for someone else what paramedics did for me,” she said.
“For years after, I had recurring dreams about the assault, but over the time I was studying my dreams became less and less frequent.”
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Associate Professor Tony Walker said there was a new generation of paramedics who were part of the transformation under way at Ambulance Victoria.
“We know the impact our paramedics have on our community, delivering outstanding health
outcomes each and every day,” Associate Prof Walker said.
He said thanks to the work of first-responders, Victoria had one of the world’s leading ambulance services.
“Today’s graduates are part of a very special organisation — one committed to supporting them as they deliver the most fulfilling community service there is.”