"Gratitude For the Health Team in Karratha"

Recently, I experienced the most excruciating back pain of my life. It came on so suddenly and so severely that I could barely move. The pain was so intense it made me physically sick—I was paralyzed, vomiting on myself and completely terrified. I’ve never been immobilised by pain before, and the feeling of not being able to move or find relief was overwhelming.

My husband called an ambulance and I was taken to Karratha Health Campus. In the moment, when you’re scared and vulnerable, the people who step in to help make all the difference in the world. For me, that began the moment the ambulance officers arrived. They could see the state I was in and treated me with such care, compassion, and understanding. They didn’t rush me; they reassured me. Every word and action felt calm and deliberate, which helped me feel safe even though my body was in crisis.

When we arrived at Karratha Hospital, the same level of compassion continued. The nurses took the time to listen to me—really listen. They heard my description of the pain, and they responded with empathy and professionalism. They made sure I was comfortable where possible, explained what they were doing, and worked to ease my symptoms quickly.

My back injury was most likely sustained  during mountain biking (with posture strain and sudden jarring) which caused muscle and ligament strain, and severe spasms. I am currently working with a physio at the hospital so I can return to an active life. 

It’s easy to take these moments of care for granted, but when you’re the person injured, every gesture matters. I left the hospital feeling incredibly thankful—not just for the medical care I received, but for the human care that came with it. The staff could have done their jobs clinically and efficiently and left it at that, but they went further. They treated me like a person, not just a patient.

This experience has made me realise that workers like these—paramedics, nurses, and everyone in between—are some of the unsung heroes in our world. They deal with people at their worst moments, often under pressure and without knowing who they are treating, yet they show up with compassion time and time again.

To the ambulance officers and nurses who cared for me that day: thank you. Your kindness, patience, and skill turned one of the scariest days of my life into an experience where I felt seen, heard, and supported.