General News
3 January, 2024
The drive and inspiration of Tyson
TYSON Woodman has been lauded for his drive and inspiration that has seen what Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas this morning called his amazing recovery from a near-fatal asthma attack a year ago. Ms Thomas lauded the Korong Vale teenager, local...
STORY AND VIDEO
TYSON Woodman has been lauded for his drive and inspiration that has seen what Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas this morning called his amazing recovery from a near-fatal asthma attack a year ago.
Ms Thomas lauded the Korong Vale teenager, local ambulance officers, paramedics and nurses at Bendigo Health for their response that left Tyson dead for 12 minutes on New Year's Day.
She said the gathering at Bendigo Health allowed special thanks to be given to "everyone ... you all have this beautiful connection to Tyson".
"When you work with someone, work with them to save their life, their friends and family never forget you," Ms Thomas said.
She said people always remembers those who had assisted family or friends in trying times.
Wedderburn ambulance officer Glenn Thompson said: "We all glad he is here now."
Glenn Thompson and fellow community ambulance officer Lynne Gondarwere first on the scene.
For Glenn, it was a particularly tough case to attend. “Tyson’s grandparents were actually Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
members with me when we started as First Responders up here,” Glenn said.“I’ve also gotten to know and really like Tyson – I’m an electrician by trade and I met him
when he was doing a school placement with the local builder.
“I remember getting the call and as we were driving the ambulance across, I was saying Ihope it’s not Tyson, I hope it’s not the Woodman’s house.
“We walked in and started trying to administer medication to help him breathe but then hewent into cardiac arrest, so next thing we’re doing CPR on him.”
Grandmother Verneece Woodman said Glen had been more than an ambulance officer to Tyson. "They have a great friendship."
Tyson is continuing rehabIlitation, has returned to working two days a week at Randall's Supermarket is is being assessed for his driver's licence with multiple health tests almost completed.
Verneece said the Korong Vale and Wedderburn communities had been priceless in their support over the last 12 months.
"Without you guys, he (Tyson) would not be here in the way he is today," she said.
Verneece said the community support was shown when people always keeping an out out for him.
Tyson also proudly displayed the football and Wedderburn Redbacks jumper - with his number 53 - as club veteran Adam Postle told Ms Thomas that Tyson was a "loveable little larrikin" he had become a miracle with his recovery. Tyson hope to return to the football field this season.
As one ICU nurse said during the celebration with Ms Thomas: "(He's) bouncing back with happiness and enthusiasm ... he's very special."