Hawke's Bay boy saved by Starship 'superheroes'

Tammi Tupara with her two-year-old boisterous son Jordan Tupara-Porter. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's Tammi Tupara was told that she had two weeks to accept the process of her son dying in-utero, because he had stopped growing.

But her "miracle baby" had other ideas, and with the help of Starship is now a bouncy two-year-old toddler.

"They (Starship) are superheroes to me, they take care of everything at a stressful time in your life."

Napier resident Tammi, 27, said her son Jordan Tupara-Porter was born on April 17, 2019 at 27 weeks gestation, and weighed a measly 510gms.

Like many premature babies, lung development was an issue for Jordan, and in his two years he has needed Starship's Air Ambulance twice.

"He had chronic lung disease, like other premature babies."

When he was just six months old his lung collapsed, and his heart stopped.

"I was with him in the ambulance and I would never wish it upon anyone," Tammi said.

Tammi was terrified, and Jordan was taken directly to Starship's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after being collected from Hawke's Bay Hospital by the Starship air retrieval team.

"The nurses were ready for his arrival. It was a tough time.

"The hardest thing was watching him lie there and not be able to help him. But the nurses kept me on point - he was in the best care, with the best help, and the best place.

"He was in PICU for one week, then one week in the children's ward, and then back at Hawke's Bay Hospital for three days and then he was sent home.

"His recovery was stunningly fast."

Jordan's second flight to Starship in April this year was unexpected, and just before his second birthday, she said.

"He had unexpected seizures.

"He went pretty much through worst of the worst, I couldn't stand watching it the second time around."

Fortunately Jordan was well enough after a day and a half in Starship's PICU to transfer to the ward for another few days before returning home.

"He was at Starship for about four days. If it hadn't been for Starship my son wouldn't be alive today."

Jordan is now at pre-school, and keeps Tammi on her toes.

"He's full-on, he doesn't walk, he runs and I am forever following him and my four year-old daughter.

"He's full of energy, but it can be very tiring," and she's trying to get him to say words other than "mummy" for when he gets into trouble.

"He's my miracle baby."

Last year the Starship National Air Ambulance flew more than 110,000km and 141 retrieval missions. Photo / Supplied

Starship Foundation has launched its 2021 appeal to raise vital funds for the Air Ambulance Service, to be able to help kids like Jordan.

Its National Air Ambulance service plays a critical role in the healthcare system, retrieving critically sick or injured children, like Jordan, from regions up and down Aotearoa.

Ready to go at a moment's notice it flies on average every 48 hours to help a family facing their toughest times.

Last year the Starship National Air Ambulance flew more than 110,000km and 141 retrieval missions.

During Covid lockdown it was one of the only planes in the sky.

John Beca, Starship clinical director, Medical and Surgical, said accidents and illness can happen to our children anywhere in New Zealand.

"Starship has New Zealand's only dedicated paediatric intensive care unit, and any child requiring anything more than short term intensive care comes to Starship.

"The Starship National Air Ambulance service ensures that any child, regardless of where they are, gets the care and treatment they need."

This service, needed by families around the country, relies on the support of everyday New Zealanders and the Starship Foundation is asking kind-hearted Kiwis to help.

To donate go to - www.keepstarshipflying.org.nz.