16-06-2025
'She's an incredible little girl': how four-year-old Bella saved her mum's life
WHEN Jessica Wickens' right side of her body went numb and she lost her ability to speak, her four-year-old daughter jumped into action.
It was November 2022, when Bella was sitting beside her mum and noticed something was wrong.
Her mum had an initial fall at work in the days before and was diagnosed with a concussion.
"I was sitting on the lounge with the girls and wasn't feeling very well. I felt this bang in the left side of my head and immediately after lost the ability to speak and couldn't move my whole right side of my body, which was really frightening," she said.
That's when Bella grabbed the phone and dialled triple zero (000) for an ambulance, before alerting her neighbours and unlocking the door for emergency services.
"We'd taught her our address, how to call emergency services just in case, and it obviously worked out really well," Mrs Wickens said
"She got the whole cavalry there. She got my husband to come home, she put her little baby sister, who was just over one at the time, in the playroom with some toys, and she waited for the ambulance to come."
When the paramedics came inside, Bella was able to tell them her mum's symptoms and was a brave little girl.
Her mum was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a hemiplegic migraine, which mimics a stroke.
On Monday, June 16, Bella, who is now six years old, was awarded for her bravery with a NSW Ambulance Star Award.
"We are so proud. Your kids can get awards at school for being academically smart, but when you get an award for literally saving your mum's life, there's nothing better than that," Mrs Wickens said.
"She's an incredible little girl."
Bella joined 25 NSW Ambulance staff, volunteers and community members at Fort Scratchley Function Centre to recognise their outstanding service, dedication and bravery.
Staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Commissioner's Conspicuous Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation and Commissioner's Honour Awards.
Among the award winners was Kathryn Devery, who saved her husband Roger's life when he went into cardiac arrest at home and James Hilton, who assisted a person who went into cardiac arrest at Beresfield train station.
Inspector Kay Armstrong was awarded a long service award for 30 years in the NSW Ambulance.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said he was proud to honour those who had selflessly stepped in to help others.
"By administering first aid to strangers or remaining calm while seeking vital assistance for loved ones, I'd like to congratulate all our recipients for the actions they have taken that have had a positive impact on so many lives," he said.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park congratulated the award winners.
"From paramedics to call centre officers to volunteers, each person plays a pivotal role in responding to emergencies across the state and caring for members of the public at their time of greatest need," he said.
WHEN Jessica Wickens' right side of her body went numb and she lost her ability to speak, her four-year-old daughter jumped into action.
It was November 2022, when Bella was sitting beside her mum and noticed something was wrong.
Her mum had an initial fall at work in the days before and was diagnosed with a concussion.
"I was sitting on the lounge with the girls and wasn't feeling very well. I felt this bang in the left side of my head and immediately after lost the ability to speak and couldn't move my whole right side of my body, which was really frightening," she said.
That's when Bella grabbed the phone and dialled triple zero (000) for an ambulance, before alerting her neighbours and unlocking the door for emergency services.
"We'd taught her our address, how to call emergency services just in case, and it obviously worked out really well," Mrs Wickens said
"She got the whole cavalry there. She got my husband to come home, she put her little baby sister, who was just over one at the time, in the playroom with some toys, and she waited for the ambulance to come."
When the paramedics came inside, Bella was able to tell them her mum's symptoms and was a brave little girl.
Her mum was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a hemiplegic migraine, which mimics a stroke.
On Monday, June 16, Bella, who is now six years old, was awarded for her bravery with a NSW Ambulance Star Award.
"We are so proud. Your kids can get awards at school for being academically smart, but when you get an award for literally saving your mum's life, there's nothing better than that," Mrs Wickens said.
"She's an incredible little girl."
Bella joined 25 NSW Ambulance staff, volunteers and community members at Fort Scratchley Function Centre to recognise their outstanding service, dedication and bravery.
Staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Commissioner's Conspicuous Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation and Commissioner's Honour Awards.
Among the award winners was Kathryn Devery, who saved her husband Roger's life when he went into cardiac arrest at home and James Hilton, who assisted a person who went into cardiac arrest at Beresfield train station.
Inspector Kay Armstrong was awarded a long service award for 30 years in the NSW Ambulance.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said he was proud to honour those who had selflessly stepped in to help others.
"By administering first aid to strangers or remaining calm while seeking vital assistance for loved ones, I'd like to congratulate all our recipients for the actions they have taken that have had a positive impact on so many lives," he said.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park congratulated the award winners.
"From paramedics to call centre officers to volunteers, each person plays a pivotal role in responding to emergencies across the state and caring for members of the public at their time of greatest need," he said.
WHEN Jessica Wickens' right side of her body went numb and she lost her ability to speak, her four-year-old daughter jumped into action.
It was November 2022, when Bella was sitting beside her mum and noticed something was wrong.
Her mum had an initial fall at work in the days before and was diagnosed with a concussion.
"I was sitting on the lounge with the girls and wasn't feeling very well. I felt this bang in the left side of my head and immediately after lost the ability to speak and couldn't move my whole right side of my body, which was really frightening," she said.
That's when Bella grabbed the phone and dialled triple zero (000) for an ambulance, before alerting her neighbours and unlocking the door for emergency services.
"We'd taught her our address, how to call emergency services just in case, and it obviously worked out really well," Mrs Wickens said
"She got the whole cavalry there. She got my husband to come home, she put her little baby sister, who was just over one at the time, in the playroom with some toys, and she waited for the ambulance to come."
When the paramedics came inside, Bella was able to tell them her mum's symptoms and was a brave little girl.
Her mum was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a hemiplegic migraine, which mimics a stroke.
On Monday, June 16, Bella, who is now six years old, was awarded for her bravery with a NSW Ambulance Star Award.
"We are so proud. Your kids can get awards at school for being academically smart, but when you get an award for literally saving your mum's life, there's nothing better than that," Mrs Wickens said.
"She's an incredible little girl."
Bella joined 25 NSW Ambulance staff, volunteers and community members at Fort Scratchley Function Centre to recognise their outstanding service, dedication and bravery.
Staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Commissioner's Conspicuous Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation and Commissioner's Honour Awards.
Among the award winners was Kathryn Devery, who saved her husband Roger's life when he went into cardiac arrest at home and James Hilton, who assisted a person who went into cardiac arrest at Beresfield train station.
Inspector Kay Armstrong was awarded a long service award for 30 years in the NSW Ambulance.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said he was proud to honour those who had selflessly stepped in to help others.
"By administering first aid to strangers or remaining calm while seeking vital assistance for loved ones, I'd like to congratulate all our recipients for the actions they have taken that have had a positive impact on so many lives," he said.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park congratulated the award winners.
"From paramedics to call centre officers to volunteers, each person plays a pivotal role in responding to emergencies across the state and caring for members of the public at their time of greatest need," he said.
WHEN Jessica Wickens' right side of her body went numb and she lost her ability to speak, her four-year-old daughter jumped into action.
It was November 2022, when Bella was sitting beside her mum and noticed something was wrong.
Her mum had an initial fall at work in the days before and was diagnosed with a concussion.
"I was sitting on the lounge with the girls and wasn't feeling very well. I felt this bang in the left side of my head and immediately after lost the ability to speak and couldn't move my whole right side of my body, which was really frightening," she said.
That's when Bella grabbed the phone and dialled triple zero (000) for an ambulance, before alerting her neighbours and unlocking the door for emergency services.
"We'd taught her our address, how to call emergency services just in case, and it obviously worked out really well," Mrs Wickens said
"She got the whole cavalry there. She got my husband to come home, she put her little baby sister, who was just over one at the time, in the playroom with some toys, and she waited for the ambulance to come."
When the paramedics came inside, Bella was able to tell them her mum's symptoms and was a brave little girl.
Her mum was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a hemiplegic migraine, which mimics a stroke.
On Monday, June 16, Bella, who is now six years old, was awarded for her bravery with a NSW Ambulance Star Award.
"We are so proud. Your kids can get awards at school for being academically smart, but when you get an award for literally saving your mum's life, there's nothing better than that," Mrs Wickens said.
"She's an incredible little girl."
Bella joined 25 NSW Ambulance staff, volunteers and community members at Fort Scratchley Function Centre to recognise their outstanding service, dedication and bravery.
Staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Commissioner's Conspicuous Service Medals, Certificates of Appreciation and Commissioner's Honour Awards.
Among the award winners was Kathryn Devery, who saved her husband Roger's life when he went into cardiac arrest at home and James Hilton, who assisted a person who went into cardiac arrest at Beresfield train station.
Inspector Kay Armstrong was awarded a long service award for 30 years in the NSW Ambulance.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said he was proud to honour those who had selflessly stepped in to help others.
"By administering first aid to strangers or remaining calm while seeking vital assistance for loved ones, I'd like to congratulate all our recipients for the actions they have taken that have had a positive impact on so many lives," he said.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park congratulated the award winners.
"From paramedics to call centre officers to volunteers, each person plays a pivotal role in responding to emergencies across the state and caring for members of the public at their time of greatest need," he said.
