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"I was sitting with my dad and showing him how sweaty my face had become during these strange episodes I'd been experiencing," Sarah recalls. "What we didn't know at the time was that I was actually having an autonomic focal aware seizure that developed into a bilateral tonic-clonic seizure."

The next thing Sarah remembers is waking up on the floor surrounded by paramedics.

"I was dazed and extremely confused about what had happened. The paramedics calmly reassured me that I was okay and explained that I had just experienced a seizure. I felt safe knowing they were already there before I regained consciousness."

While Sarah has little memory of the seizure itself, her mother Sandra remembers every moment.

"Sarah was having a tonic-clonic seizure and was convulsing and unconscious," Sandra says. "She was struggling to breathe and completely unaware of what was happening. We managed to get her safely onto the floor and moved furniture away from her."

Sarah experienced two seizures during the incident.

"When she came out of the seizures, she was very frightened and confused and had no idea what had just happened," says Sandra. "It was extremely scary for us as her parents to witness, and also for her six-year-old daughter."

Sandra immediately called 111.

'I never felt alone'

"I talked to a Wellington Free Ambulance call taker who explained exactly what to do and was so reassuring," she says. "They kept me informed about how far away the ambulance was, asked me what was happening, and guided me through counting Sarah's breaths and advised me to tell her when she comes out of the seizures."

Most importantly, Sandra says she never felt alone.

"It was outstanding service. Having a calm person on the phone telling me I was doing well while dealing with such a frightening situation made a huge difference."

Just nine minutes later, paramedics arrived on scene.

"The speed and professionalism of the response stood out to us," says Sarah. "Both the call handler and the paramedics were calm, clear and reassuring throughout."

For Sandra, the support provided by Wellington Free Ambulance helped ease the fear of an overwhelming situation.

"The care we received both over the phone and when the paramedics arrived had a huge impact. We felt like we weren't alone. We’re so grateful to have such a brilliant ambulance service here in Wellington."

This wasn't Sarah's first experience with seizures. Following a serious car crash in 2017, where she suffered a head injury and was knocked unconscious, she experienced her first tonic-clonic seizure a week later.

"After that, I remained seizure-free from 2018," she says. "I went on to have my daughter and had no seizure issues during pregnancy."

However, in June 2025, Sarah began experiencing what she now knows were focal aware seizure clusters. It wasn't until the events of April 2026 that the cause became clear.

"Since that day, I've been under the care of the neurology team at Wellington Hospital and we're working towards getting my seizures under control."

Reflecting on their Wellington Free Ambulance experience

Over the years, Sarah has relied on Wellington Free Ambulance several times and remains deeply grateful for the care she has received.

"One paramedic who attended me for a dislocated elbow in 2024 recognised me from a seizure call years earlier. It was amazing to know I was in such good hands and that she remembered caring for me."

Sarah also fondly remembers a paramedic named Les, who cared for her during a hospital transfer related to severe endometriosis pain.

"He was incredible. I still remember him popping his head into the hospital room before he finished his shift to wish me all the best."

For Sarah, those moments of kindness have left a lasting impression.

"Words can't actually sum up how grateful and truly thankful I am for all Wellington Free Ambulance staff. The work they do is incredible and invaluable."

"The fact that Wellington Free Ambulance is a free service has also removed the stress of worrying about whether I could afford to call for help during difficult times."

"Throughout all of my health struggles over the years, Wellington Free Ambulance has been there when I've needed them most, and for that I will always be grateful."