For years, I thought what my children were experiencing was just something we had to live with.
Our family is Ballardong Noongar, living on Wadjuk Noongar Boodja, raising our three children.
My seven-year-old daughter Maddie started getting sick when she was only six months old. She was constantly unwell with a barking cough, wheezing and trouble breathing.
Every time I took her to the doctor, I was told it was “just croup” or something common for children in daycare. As she got older, the GP said it was seasonal asthma and advised us to use Ventolin as needed.
Then my son Kayden started having breathing problems too. He was even younger than Maddie.
At only three months old, he was rushed to hospital struggling to breathe. Doctors weren’t sure if it was croup or anaphylaxis. From then on, hospital visits, steroids and sleepless nights became part of our lives.
As a mum, it was exhausting and frightening.
Wanting answers for our children
There were nights I would wake up at 3am listening to my children breathe, wondering if I needed to call an ambulance. I was constantly taking time off work because they were too sick for daycare or school. We spent hundreds of dollars on urgent clinic visits, only to leave with another short-term treatment before the cycle started all over again.
We were given puffers and medications over the years, but no one ever really explained asthma to me. I never received information on asthma even when prescribed asthma medication. The children have been on the medication most of their life and no testing or explanation apart from “croup”.
I honestly didn’t realise we needed asthma support.
”Everything changed when my aunty encouraged me to attend a free outreach clinic through Arche Health and Respiratory Care WA.”
Finding the right help
That’s where we met Melanie.
For the first time, someone took the time to really listen to us.
Mel was amazing, and the children instantly felt comfortable with her. She explained what asthma actually was, how it was affecting my children’s lungs and how to properly use their medication. She took the time to explain the difference between the puffers and how to use them correctly. For the first time, I was able to ask questions and truly understand what my children were experiencing.
”I remember leaving that appointment feeling emotional because, for the first time in years, I finally felt like I had answers.”
Mel explained that the orange puffer was a preventer medication that needed to be used every day, not just when the kids were sick. She also explained that asthma in children is often mistaken for croup, which suddenly made so much sense for our family.
Breathing easier changed everything
Since receiving the right support, the difference has been life changing.
Maddie and Kayden are no longer constantly sick. We haven’t needed steroids or hospital visits. They’re attending school and daycare regularly, sleeping better, playing more and enjoying being kids again. As a family, we’re finally able to enjoy time together without constantly worrying about the next flare-up.
Maddie now proudly carries her asthma kit everywhere she goes. She tells people, “Now I can play with my friends all the time.”
Kayden sleeps through the night and loves running around pretending to be “big and strong.”
And for me?
I feel confident supporting my children and advocating for the care they deserve.
”As a First Nations family, having access to a free, culturally safe outreach clinic made all the difference.”
We were given the time to share our story, ask questions and receive the support we needed without worrying about the cost. Having Mel, an Aboriginal health professional, created a culturally safe experience for our family and for mob accessing services.
I know there are other parents out there feeling the same fear and uncertainty I once felt. That’s why these free community outreach services matter so much.
