Like most fathers and sons, bonding over the things you have in common builds connection. Following the same sports team, hating pickles, or having the same-coloured eyes. For Luke Roberts and his son Jason Roberts their point of connection, among other things, is both have been transported by Ornge for serious medical emergencies. 
 
On September 22, 2017, Jason, who was five years old at the time of transport, was unexpectedly kicked in the chest by a horse while hanging out with his older brother Andrew and his friend. Recognizing the severity of Jason’s injuries, Andrew called 911 while holding Jason as he was going in and out of consciousness.  
 
Jason was rushed to the local hospital in Hanover where Jason’s parents Luke and Rebecca Roberts had rushed to meet their son in the emergency room. Hanover & District Hospital initially called off an interfacility transport, but Luke could tell by looking at his son, with a permanent scar of a horseshoe on his chest, this was serious.
 
“It was decided by a visiting doctor that he needed to go to London immediately,” said Luke. “Ornge showed up as soon as they could and the entire team from pilots, a nurse and paramedics air lifted him to Victoria Hospital in London.” 
 
Rebecca rode with Jason as he was airlifted to Victoria Hospital London. Luke drove to the hospital, arriving just in time to see the helicopter carrying his son landing on the helipad.  
 
Jason was met by a team of medical staff already waiting to admit him as the Ornge paramedics transferred over their care explaining exactly what Jason needed to the attending staff. 
 
“They were explaining and describing things to a team of at least 10 professionals at emergency at Victoria,” said Luke. “I saw exactly how the Ornge staff handled the whole situation from very concise, quick yet caring and effective communication, and mobilization from the helicopter to the emergency area.” 
 
Jason was admitted to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit where he was diagnosed with a lacerated dome of his liver and multiple contusions on his right lung, affecting his breathing.
 
“It was just really hard just to see the little guy hurting so bad and not able to fight for himself very good you know, poor dude.” said Luke. “I was beside myself and I didn't know what to do, so I started praying. I’m not kidding the Lord gave me instant wisdom to know what to say to him.” 
 
Luke began to tell his son about everything he could look forward to once he was out of the hospital.  
 
“I said are you looking forward to seeing your sister when you get home, and your stuffies – he loved to sleep with stuffies when he was five – and we had two dogs and some cats and I said are you looking forward to seeing the dogs,” said Luke. “I got him thinking about all that, his sister and getting home and sleeping in his own room.  
 
Within 24 hours, Jason’s condition had improved.  
 
“As soon as I encouraged him and got him a new perspective, it gave him a fighting chance that you could tell. I’m not kidding, but 24 hours later he went from death’s door to like a lightbulb came on. The difference was unbelievable,” said Luke. 
 
Jason is now 13 years old and is a healthy boy who enjoys spending time with his family and helping his dad at work. Both Luke and Jason are thankful to the Ornge response team from that day in 2017. 
 
“Their care helped eliminate much worry and stress because I knew Jason was in the very best hands one could ever expect for their young child,” said Luke. 
 
We would like to thank flight crew Darin Higgon and Istvan Pouti and paramedics Michael Kennedy and Brent Poppleton and the staff from the Operations Control Centre for their professionalism, compassion and quality of care on that day.

To read about how Ornge once again answered a call for the Roberts family in 2020, click here.

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