A furious Queensland mother has been reported to child protection authorities by medical staff after her 12-year-old daughter was stung by a bee and airlifted to hospital.
Allona Lahn’s daughter had a bad reaction to the bee sting and was diagnosed with diabetes after a helicopter dash to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for treatment.
After the ordeal, Ms Lahn said her family arrived home to find they were under investigation after an ICU staff member reported them to authorities.
‘Within half an hour of arriving home from six days at the hospital, super stressed and no sleep, hubby had a call from Child Safety,’ Ms Lahn revealed.
‘They were concerned about the welfare and safety of our child. They said they were coming now and weren’t going to take no for an answer.
‘I had to sit down and tell my seriously ill child that people were coming to assess whether mummy and daddy are good parents.’
The drama began when Ms Lahn’s daughter complained of neck pain after being stung.
Within a few days, the girl’s condition deteriorated rapidly when she became lethargic and was unable to eat properly.
Allona Lahn said her family arrived home to find they were under investigation
Her daughter was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for emergency care
‘We presented at Emergency in Gympie at 3.30am. She was limp and lifeless,’ Ms Lahn posted on social media.
Doctors determined the young girl was suffering from ketoacidosis, a dangerous complication of diabetes, and she was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for emergency care.
‘She was wheeled to ICU where six staff were waiting,’ Ms Lahn said.
‘There were hourly blood checks, regular vitamins, nurses in and out, adjustments in IVs.
‘I held her hand, stroked her hair and whispered in her ear how much I love her.
‘There were lots of questions – where do we live? how long had she been sick? When did symptoms start? Family history of diabetes.
‘I had never heard of ketoacidosis, [which is] a symptom of high blood glucose and diabetes.
‘But looking back, there were symptoms – nothing really obvious except in the last few days, after the bee sting and rapid decline.’
Ms Lahn was told her daughter was suffering from diabetes
After being told her daughter was suffering from diabetes and told that there was ‘no cure,’ Ms Lahn asked for the news to be kept from her daughter.
‘For her mental health, I asked for this not to be shared [and] we will take it one step at a time,’ she explained.
‘I questioned the diagnosis, at this stage there were no conclusive tests. I asked staff to keep her on IVs longer as she was responding well.
‘I asked about alternative medical options other than insulin and asked lots of questions, as I believe a concerned mother should.’
Ms Lahn says she barely slept, spending the night researching the condition, and was relieved when their daughter was transferred from ICU to the ward
But she said the mood changed dramatically when she had to deal with the ward staff who questioned the family’s alternative lifestyle choices.
‘There was a change in attitude – lots of questions in regards to our home-schooling, farm life and socialisation were asked,’ she said. ‘I was getting uncomfortable.
‘We were seen by multiple doctors and nurses, diabetes educators, social worker, nutritionists – our room was a revolving door of people.
After six days in Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the 12-year-old girl was discharged
‘One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life is give my non-medicated “pure” daughter an insulin needle.
‘We were given what I call a “show bag” and a backpack with all the essentials and information we need to “manage” the disease.’
Ms Lahn claims that minutes after arriving home, they received a call from authorities.
‘They said the child’s safety was a priority and she was at risk,’ Ms Lahn said.
‘We hadn’t even had time to put the insulin in the fridge.’
Ms Lahn said she was forced to prepare her daughter for the unexpected assessment, explaining it was important she ‘speak confidently and truthfully.’
‘After half an hour of intense discussion and questions around our lifestyle, home-school, food, home and careers, I was told the case wouldn’t go further,’ she said.
When she asked why her family had been contacted, she was stunned to learn one of the medical staff in ICU had reported them for their alternative health views.
‘When I asked why we were flagged, we were told she didn’t know exactly why other than there were concerns by someone at the hospital that we wouldn’t administer the medication,’ she posted.
‘One person had reported us from ICU.’
A week later, she received a phone call from authorities to apologise and acknowledge ‘things could have been done better’.
Her daughter is now recovering well, but Ms Lahn said the experience left her rattled and has vowed to advocate for change in how families are treated in a medical crisis.
‘I can only imagine other parents in the same situation, not as articulate or younger, having a totally different outcome,’ she added.
‘The system is very clearly flawed.
‘Further enquiries to the hospital led me to discover one person can report you to child safety, and child safety “has” to act.
‘Whilst my hospital experience ended on a sour note, I am extremely grateful to the many staff and services that are available to us.’
Daily Mail has contacted Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Queensland Health for comment.