Townsville University Hospital: Paige Gillman battles back after NQ pony club accident

An adorable North Queensland girl who suffered critical injuries in a horse-riding accident has bravely battled back after a year of care at Townsville University Hospital.

Paige Gillman, 7, was left with multiple crush injuries that included a collapsed lung, serious lacerations, and four broken ribs after a freak accident involving a gate at her pony club in May last year. Picture: Supplied

An adorable North Queensland girl who suffered critical injuries in a horror horse-riding accident has bravely battled back after a year of care at Townsville University Hospital.

Bluewater couple Ellen and Alex Gillman knew their lives had changed forever when darling daughter Paige, aged just seven, was left with multiple crush injuries that included a collapsed lung, serious lacerations and four broken ribs after a freak accident involving a gate at her pony club in May last year.

A year later, the Gillmans are sharing Paige’s remarkable story of recovery, one they said would not have been possible without the care of emergency, medical, surgical, nursing and allied health staff at TUH.

Mr Gillman, recounting the incident, said it was “absolutely terrifying to see her so injured”.

“The chaos and emotion of that day has made it difficult to remember names, but the impact the hospital has had on us is unforgettable,” she said.

“The resuscitation team in emergency led by Dr Olwen Gilbert was extraordinary; they not only attended to our daughter’s urgent needs but also recognised how terrifying the experience was for a little girl.”

Occupational therapist (OT) Kady Delle Baite, paediatric emergency specialist Dr Olwen Gilbert, Paige Gillman, and OT Tegan Olsen. Picture: Supplied

Paige was transferred from the Emergency Department to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where she spent four days on a ventilator.

Mrs Gillman said the PICU team watched over our daughter with “diligence, kindness and warmth”, while the support staff tasked with lifting, rolling and transporting her did so with care.

“It meant the world to us that, even when she was intubated and sedated, she was treated with such respect,” she said.

“The surgical team was incredible and quite literally pieced our daughter back together, and the post-operative care they provided was outstanding.”

Paediatric emergency specialist Dr Olwen Gilbert said Paige was ‘so very brave’.

She said the young child had a severe laceration to her back and a collapsed lung that needed a chest drain.

“I had my whole team around me, and this is what we train for, so I knew Paige was in safe hands,” she said.

“I talked to her about her horse, Rudolf, which kept her calm and having her parents close by helped in what was a very scary experience for a child.”

Mrs Gillman acknowledged the “amazing care” of the children’s ward, radiology and physiotherapy departments, and the wound care nurses who nursed Paige through 103 days of dressing changes.

She saved her final praise for “extraordinary” occupational therapists Tegan Olsen and Kady Delle Baite.

“Paige found comfort and inspiration in them, and now dreams of becoming an OT herself.”

Bluewater girl Paige Gillman with her horse Rudolf. Picture: Supplied

Ms Olsen said Paige was ‘an absolute sweetheart’ who did everything asked of her.

“Working as OTs with children our job is to build a rapport, understand what they like to do, offer distraction therapy, and build in some fun as they undergo care.”

She said they worked with Paige in managing her compression bandages, scar massage, and “getting her back to her childhood occupations of school and pony club”.

“Paige is an old soul, she can be sassy, and we adore her.”

Paige said her visits to the hospital meant the chance to talk about Rudolf with the nurses and doctors and play Nintendo with Kady and Tegan.

“I won the Super Mario races and set the highest score,” she said.

And in an incredible twist to an amazing story of recovery from adversity, Mrs Gillman said she was so moved by her daughter’s experience that she enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing while still sitting by her hospital bed.

“I’m now nearly a year in and plan to continue onto a Bachelor of Nursing or Paramedic Science.”

She said words could not fully capture the depth of her family’s gratitude towards TUH.

“The care we received not only helped heal our daughter but also changed the course of our lives.”

Health service chief executive Kieran Keyes said receiving Mrs Gillman’s feedback was incredibly gratifying.

“When I receive feedback like I did about Paige’s care, I’m reminded of the brilliance, dedication, and compassion of our staff,” he said.

“Everyone at TUH is delighted to see Paige fully recovered and we’d love to see her back here as an OT one day.”

Originally published as Townsville University Hospital: Paige Gillman battles back after NQ pony club accident