9-year-old Harley Metz saved his mother’s life recently by raising the alarm when he found her severely unwell at home.
Harley, who is a member of St John Ambulance Cymru’s Aberdare and Foundry Town Badger programme, called 999 to request help for his mother Dana, who is type 1 diabetic and also had been struggling with a long standing dental pain.
Dana’s blood sugars had spiralled out of control one night in April as a result of complications relating to an infection in her mouth. Her airways had begun to close up and she was suffering severe pain and vomiting while Harley and his 4 year old sister slept.
Fortunately, she had discussed her diabetes with Harley and thanks the first aid knowledge gained from his St John Ambulance Cymru volunteer Badger Leaders, he was able to call 999, raise the alarm with a neighbour and also care for his little sister until help arrived.
Dana and Harley Metz.
Dana said:
"That night we all went to bed normally. I was suffering with a swollen mouth and in pain, but thought nothing of it as I’d been through it for so long.
“Suddenly, I woke up and my stomach was in agony. I was screaming out in pain most of the night being sick. I was in and out of consciousness and remember just thinking I’d wait until the morning to get the kids to school and then I’d get help, not realising I didn’t have that much time.
Harley noticed something was wrong when his mother was still in bed at the time they would be leaving the house to go to school. He went into her bedroom to check on Dana and see if she needed help.
Dana added:
“I was lying in bed barely breathing and I can remember him asking me if I was okay and did I need help. Somehow I managed to say I needed help and then I was out of it again. The next thing I remember is being loaded up into the ambulance.
“Harley had called 999 and he was incredible. He saved my life, took care of his 4-year-old sister, went to get a neighbour and he stayed calm. I am so incredibly lucky to be here and have Harley. He's a really special little boy and he has so much ambition in life. He’s kind, caring, respectful and not to mention a real lifesaver. He’s my hero and my son.”
Dana was keen to stress the important role Harley’s experiences as a Badger had played in equipping him with the knowledge of what to do in a medical emergency.
“Badgers is absolutely amazing for these children. First aid is extremely important for kids to learn, because look what happened. If Harley didn't go to Badgers he wouldn't have the knowledge he has. He has been a Badger for a few years now and he absolutely loves it.
“I’d also like to shout out to Maria Roderick, who works with the children at Badgers. She’s such an asset to them and goes above and beyond.”
Maria Roderick, Harley’s St John Ambulance Cymru volunteer Badger Leader added:
“Because he attends Badgers, he knew what to do when his mother became unwell and he saved her life. I am so proud of Harley and am one proud Badger Leader.”
Harley with his little sister Davina.
Dana is now recovering well and Harley continues to attend his local Badger Sett, adding to the lifesaving knowledge he has already put to use at such a young age.
If you would like to find out more about Badgers, which engages 5-11 year olds with a range of activities and experiences, please visit our Badger page.
“Fe yw fy arwr i” - Achubodd bachgen 9 oed fywyd ei fam trwy ffonio 999 ar ôl iddi fynd i mewn i goma diabetig
Fe achubodd Harley Metz, 9 oed, fywyd ei fam yn ddiweddar trwy godi’r larwm pan ddaeth o hyd iddi’n ddifrifol wael yn eu cartref.
Galwodd Harley, sy’n aelod o grŵp Badgers Aberdâr a Foundry Town St John Ambulance Cymru, 999 i ofyn am gymorth i’w fam Dana, sy’n ddiabetig math 1 ac oedd hefyd wedi bod yn cael trafferth gyda phoen dannedd am amser hir.
Roedd siwgr gwaed Dana wedi mynd allan o reolaeth un noson ym mis Ebrill o ganlyniad i gymhlethdodau yn ymwneud â haint yn ei cheg. Roedd ei llwybrau anadlu wedi dechrau cau ac roedd yn dioddef poen difrifol a chwydu tra bod Harley a'i chwaer 4 oed yn cysgu.
Yn ffodus, roedd Dana wedi trafod ei diabetes gyda Harley, a diolch i’r wybodaeth cymorth cyntaf a gafodd gan ei Arweinwyr St John Ambulance Cymru wirfoddol yn ei grŵp Badgers, llwyddodd i ffonio 999, codi’r larwm gyda chymydog a hefyd gofalu am ei chwaer fach nes i gymorth cyrraedd.
Dana a Harley Metz.
Dywedodd Dana:
"Y noson honno fe aethon ni i gyd i'r gwely fel arfer. Roeddwn yn dioddef gyda cheg chwyddedig ac mewn poen, ond yn meddwl dim ohono gan fy mod wedi bod drwyddo am amser hir.
“Yn sydyn, fe ddeffrais i ac roedd fy stumog mewn poen. Roeddwn yn sgrechian allan mewn poen y rhan fwyaf o'r nos yn sâl. Roeddwn i mewn ac allan o ymwybyddiaeth ac yn cofio meddwl y byddwn i'n aros tan y bore i gael y plant i'r ysgol ac yna byddwn i'n cael help, heb sylweddoli nad oedd gen i lawer o amser.”
Sylwodd Harley fod rhywbeth o'i le pan oedd ei fam yn dal yn y gwely pryd y byddent fel arfer yn gadael y tŷ i fynd i'r ysgol. Aeth i mewn i'w hystafell wely i wirio Dana ac i weld a oedd angen help arni.
Ychwanegodd Dana:
“Roeddwn i’n gorwedd yn y gwely prin yn anadlu a gallaf ei gofio yn gofyn i mi a oeddwn yn iawn ac a oedd angen help arnaf. Rhywsut, llwyddais i ddweud fy mod angen help ac yna roeddwn allan ohono eto. Y peth nesaf rwy'n ei gofio yw cael fy llwytho i mewn i'r ambiwlans.
“Roedd Harley wedi ffonio 999 ac roedd yn anhygoel. Fe achubodd fy mywyd, gofalu am ei chwaer 4 oed, aeth i gael cymydog a chadwodd ei ben. Rydw i mor anhygoel o lwcus i fod yma ac yn ffodus i gael Harley. Mae'n fachgen bach arbennig iawn ac mae'n llawn uchelgais. Mae'n garedig, yn ofalgar, yn barchus a heb sôn am achubwr bywyd go iawn. Fe yw fy arwr a fy mab.”
Roedd Dana’n awyddus i bwysleisio’r rhan bwysig yr oedd profiadau Harley gyda'i grŵp Badgers wedi’i chwarae wrth roi’r wybodaeth iddo am beth i’w wneud mewn argyfwng meddygol.
“Mae Badgers yn hollol anhygoel i'r plant hyn. Mae cymorth cyntaf yn hynod o bwysig i blant ddysgu, oherwydd edrychwch beth ddigwyddodd. Pe na bai Harley yn mynd i Badgers ni fyddai ganddo'r wybodaeth sydd ganddo. Mae wedi bod yn Badger ers rhai blynyddoedd bellach ac mae wrth ei fodd.
“Hoffwn hefyd ganmol Maria Roderick, sy’n gweithio gyda’r plant yn Badgers. Mae hi’n gymaint o gaffaeliad iddyn nhw ac yn mynd y tu hwnt i’r disgwyl.”
Ychwanegodd Maria Roderick, sy’n arwain grŵp Badgers Harley fel gwirfoddolwr gyda St John Ambulance Cymru:
“Oherwydd ei fod yn mynychu Badgers, roedd yn gwybod beth i’w wneud pan aeth ei fam yn sâl ac fe achubodd ei bywyd. Rwyf mor falch o Harley ac yn un Arweinydd balch iawn.”
Harley gyda'i chwaer fach, Davina.
Mae Dana bellach yn gwella'n dda ac mae Harley'n parhau i fynychu ei Froch Badgers leol, gan ychwanegu at y wybodaeth achub bywyd y mae eisoes wedi'i defnyddio mor ifanc.
Os hoffech gael rhagor o wybodaeth am Badgers, sy’n ymgysylltu plant 5-11 oed ag amrywiaeth o weithgareddau a phrofiadau, ewch i'r tudalen Badgers.
