Mum's Open Letter To Qantas Flight Crew After They Went 'Above And Beyond' To Help Toddler With Seizure

'These women did far more than just their jobs that day.'

A mum openly thanked staff on a Qantas flight on Facebook for helping her son when he suffered a febrile seizure while on board a flight.

Elise Doohan, from Perth, was travelling with her two sons to Sydney when her one-year-old went “floppy, vomited and his eyes rolled to the back of his head”.

The mother said her son wasn’t responding and turned completely white, so she started to panic. Thankfully, the flight crew were on hand to help her. 

“I stood up to try get the attention of an air hostess, and I already had one running towards me,” Doohan wrote on Facebook to Qantas

“She grabbed my baby without hesitation, who was covered in vomit, and ran him towards the back of the plane while I followed.”

Doohan continued: “I was in tears and really distressed, as my son still wasn’t responding.

“Your lovely air hostess hugged me, assured me they had a team of mothers as staff and they were going to take care of us.”

Doohan’s son was put onto oxygen while the staff called out for any medically trained professionals on board.

There was a doctor and a paramedic on board who sat with Doohan and her son the entire flight.

“They could have been relaxing, watching a movie, instead they were asking around for medical supplies, constantly checking my son’s vitals and liaising with the Qantas staff on caring for my son,” she wrote.

“Another staff member went and sat with my three-year-old, and then moved him closer to us. Your beautiful staff kept him so calm and entertained.”

Doohan said there were air hostesses going up and down the aisles with stickers all over them, fetching snacks and taking her older son for walks up and down the plane so she could concentrate on her youngest son. 

“Thankfully, my son is completely healthy today, but I cannot express how thankful I was to be on board that flight with such absolute angels,” she added.

“Your staff went completely above and beyond in every single aspect.

“They completely took control of the situation and I felt so safe knowing they were doing everything they could to look after us.”

Qantas replied to the Facebook thank you letter to say they would make sure her kind words would reach the team who helped her.

“We’re very humbled to read this experience and are happy your son is in good health following this flight,” they wrote.

“We’d like to make sure that Maria, Monica, Libby and the rest of the crew are commended for their hard work and compassion. Please let us know your flight number so we can pass this on to them for you.”

Before You Go

Christmas Gift Ideas For Babies
Teddy Bear Rattle(01 of12)
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A toy making the noise of a rattle, but one that's as soft as a teddy bear.
Suitable from birth.
£13 from Best Years.
(credit:BestYears)
Nautical Embroidered Muslins(02 of12)
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New parents can never have enough muslins in the house. These ones have a sweet nautical twist.
£14, from JoJo Maman Bebe.
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Mix and Match Caterpillar(03 of12)
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This caterpillar has all the components to keep your baby happy - colours, noise, velcro and mirror reflections.
Suitable from 0-18 months.
£16.99 from Babies R Us.
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Personalised Bone China Bauble(04 of12)
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A great way to mark a baby's first Christmas is a personalised bauble that can be put on the tree each year.
£9.99 from Getting Personal.
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Dribble Bibs(05 of12)
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You will never go wrong getting bibs for new parents and we love the funky design on these ones.
£10.63 from Boden.
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Festive Sleepsuits(06 of12)
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If you adults are donning your Christmas jumpers on Christmas day, it's only fair babies can join in the fun, too.
To fit newborns to 12-month-olds.
£16 from Mothercare.
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My Baby Touch Wooden Frame(07 of12)
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This gift allows parents to document their baby's foot or handprint on their first Christmas and add in a photo from the day.
£20 from Baby Art.
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Halilit Mini Orchestra(08 of12)
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Babies love bright colours and noises to appeal to their senses, so this mini orchestra is sure to keep them occupied.
Suitable for children from six months.
£16.99 from Argos.
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Baby Adaptable Sleeveless Sleep Bag(09 of12)
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Babies need to keep as cosy as we do in the winter.
Suitable for ages 0-18 months
£19 from Vertbaudet.
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Snowman and Snowdog Booties(10 of12)
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They may not be able to walk yet, but these booties will keep their feet warm (and look adorable).
One size.
£12.95 from John Lewis.
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Personalised Storage Basket(11 of12)
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The perfect gift to hold all the baby's Christmas toys, with a personal touch.
£18 from Sparks Living on Not On The High Street.
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Bath Squirtees - Under The Sea(12 of12)
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Babies who love to splash around in the bath will want to stay in the water even longer with these four toys.
Suitable for babies from six months to two years.
£4.99 from Babies R Us.
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