Young stroke survivor salutes superhero doctor
04 September 2020
5
min read
A Brisbane teen who scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge to show how children can recover from stroke has paid tribute to the doctor who got her there – paediatric neurologist Adriane Sinclair of Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH).
Nominated by her 14-year-old patient Sophie, Dr Sinclair is the latest winner of Juiced TV’s Super Hero Awards.
A QSuper initiative, the awards shine a light on the hospital’s doctors, nurses, volunteers and others who selflessly dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of others.
At the age of four, Sophie suffered a stroke while in her mother’s arms, but is now looking forward to a bright future thanks to her family’s support, her positive energy and the ongoing care of Dr Sinclair.
Sophie’s mother Amanda said her daughter had formed a close bond with Dr Sinclair, who has been managing Sophie’s care and rehabilitation for the past five years at QCH.
“Adriane empowers Sophie to use her voice to say, ‘This is how I’m feeling, this is what I need’ and she never rushes Sophie,” Amanda said.
She is very kind and considerate to everything Sophie is going through, whether that be as a teenage girl, or having a life after stroke. Adriane gets things out of Sophie that I never knew about."
“It’s that empowering of and taking ownership of her own condition – that’s what I love. It means that when Sophie is ready to be transitioned to an adult hospital, she will have all the knowledge about her care, she will know how to move forward. It’s taken 10 years to get here. I still go to doctor’s appointments but I’m now more the Uber driver getting her there.”
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Dr Sinclair also inspires Sophie through her advocacy work outside of hospital hours. The neurologist implemented an Australian-first paediatric stroke protocol to ensure a quicker diagnosis for children who present at emergency departments.
Dr Sinclair is in awe of Sophie’s efforts to raise stroke awareness, which include scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge, raising funds by baking “brain” cupcakes, and addressing rooms full of QCH doctors on her recovery journey.
Lessons learned on a shared journey
Humbled by Sophie’s heartfelt nomination for the Juiced TV Super Hero Award, proudly supported by QSuper, Dr Sinclair said the teen had taught her some valuable lessons during their journey together.
“I have learnt about resilience, about having that positive energy. From a clinical perspective, we learn a lot about following children from the time they’ve had a stroke, in seeing what problems and challenges they face.”
Dr Sinclair is the eighth person to be nominated for Juiced TV’s Super Hero Awards program, which celebrates superheroes of the healthcare sector who put others’ best interests first.
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