Levi Presland has remained positive throughout his healing journey at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
As the saying goes, and as many parents often remark to one another, there is nothing worse than a sick, or injured child.
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As a parent, your heart breaks for them, and with every fibre of your being you wish you could take their pain away.
For mother Amie Keane, the moment her 12-year-old son, Levi Presland, was engulfed in flames in the front yard of her parents’ property on September 22 in Numurkah was beyond comprehension.
She described it as a moment when her heart felt as though it completely stopped.
Among panic, while desperately trying to remain calm for her son, she endured some of the most terrifying and challenging moments of her life — moments that as a mother tested her strength in unimaginable ways.
“In moments like that you don’t have time to think about what’s happened you just have to go into survival mode and be strong for your kids,” Amie said.
“It was terrifying for Levi, but for us all as a family.
“Levi was scared, screaming in pain and going into shock.
“Thankfully, thanks to the knowledge of basic first aid, we each played a vital role in saving Levi’s life.”
Levi had been flicking a lighter he found on the property.
Amie admitted she wasn’t sure if he flicked it once, twice or 50 times, but it took just a single spark to ignite his polyester jumper.
Within seconds, the flames engulfed it entirely.
Megan, Levi’s 14-year-old sister, was the first to see him on fire.
“We all heard his screams and ran from every direction of the property to help, but Megan was the first person to get to him,” Amie said.
“Levi instinctively tried rolling on the ground to extinguish the flames, and by the time Megan reached him, he had already removed his jumper and T-shirt.
“She immediately hosed him down without hesitation, and then we rushed him into a cool shower while my mother, Margaret, called an ambulance.
“Basic first aid saved his life.”
Both on-duty and off-duty paramedics arrived within minutes of the 000 call, and Levi was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
What would normally take nearly three hours by car was completed in just two hours from the time of the accident.
Levi sustained full-thickness burns to his torso and underarms, as well as minor burns to his face and hand from removing his jumper.
Levi has had 10 surgeries after being badly burnt three months ago.
Upon arrival at the Royal Children’s Hospital, he underwent a gruelling five-hour surgery almost immediately.
Today, nearly three months later, he has undergone 10 surgeries, which include skin grafts, and faces a long road to recovery — one that will continue for years to come.
“He has shown incredible resilience and patience throughout his hospital stay and everything he’s been through,” Amie said.
“He is okay, and he will continue to be okay. As a family, we are all healing, thanks to the wonderful support system around us.
“It’s something you never imagine going through, and I’m so grateful to the paramedics for their quick response and to my kids, husband and my mum for their swift thinking and how they handled the entire situation.
“If you don’t know basic first aid, please take the time to learn it and teach it to your children — you never know when it could save a life.”
Levi Presland said he had spent many hours watching movies while recovering at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Levi and Amie spent two months in the Royal Children’s Hospital, with other family members visiting on weekends.
Amie had to take a significant amount of time off work to be by her son’s side, while the rest of the family missed them both dearly.
Although they are now home, Levi requires weekly trips to Melbourne for rehabilitation, a process that will continue for years. While he is safe and healing, the journey remains slow and challenging.
To support the family during this unimaginable setback, a couple of Amie’s friends have started a GoFundMe page to help ease the financial strain and provide for the ongoing needs of Levi’s recovery.
“It has only just gone up, and we are overwhelmed by the wave of support,” Amie said.
“We thank every single person and business that has contributed or shared our story. It really shows us how much kindness is around.
“Lord knows money is tight for everyone right now, and we are eternally grateful for every cent.
“Asking for help is hard, and asking for financial help is even harder. We’ve had to put our pride aside and accept that we’re not invincible or immune to adversity, while reminding ourselves that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.
“Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and hold your babies just a few seconds longer today. We are so incredibly lucky that this turned out the way it did.”
The Presland family. Romeo, Levi and Megan with parents Mark and Amie.
Speaking with Levi over the phone as he awaited yet another surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Thursday, November 21, his message was heartfelt and full of gratitude.
“I just want to thank all my family and friends for supporting me,” Levi said.
“A special thanks to my sister for responding so quickly and to my mum for taking time off work to stay with me.
“I’m really looking forward to Christmas with my family, and I can’t wait to go back to school next year and see all my friends.”
If you would like to help Levi’s road to recovery, visit ‘12-year-old, Levi, and his family’on the GoFundMe page.
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