{"id":1626,"date":"2026-03-25T09:42:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T22:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/partyline\/?p=1626"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:42:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T22:42:33","slug":"the-role-of-non-emergency-medical-transport-in-supporting-rural-healthcare-access-billies-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/partyline\/the-role-of-non-emergency-medical-transport-in-supporting-rural-healthcare-access-billies-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The role of non-emergency medical transport in supporting rural healthcare Access: Billie\u2019s story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Six-year-old Billie lives in the remote South Australian town of Bramfield, on five acres with her mum Bec, dad, two siblings, and a brood of chickens, rarely without one affectionately tucked under her arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The family moved to Bramfield in search of a quieter life: space to run free, room to grow, and a close-knit community that suited their children\u2019s needs. According to Bec, the move delivered everything they had hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe lifestyle, community and school have been incredible,\u201d she says. \u201cThe only real challenge has been accessing specialist medical care for Billie, her siblings, and for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Billie is a joyful, animal loving second grader, who brightens people\u2019s day with her unique personality. She lives with several complex conditions, including Autism, ADHD, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Pica, and more recently, suspected Narcolepsy. She requires ongoing care from a large team of allied health and medical specialists \u2014 support that simply isn\u2019t available locally. Bec, who also lives with chronic pain and medical conditions herself, is Billie\u2019s full-time carer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur children are the joy of our life but between the three of them, all with high needs, we require a lot<\/em> of support,\u201d Bec explains. \u201cWe work with an incredible team, including an incontinence nurse, behaviour intervention specialist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, dietician and nutrition specialists, physiotherapist, and inclusive educators at school. Daily support officers are essential to help them learn and thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With medical appointments regularly taking the family to Port Lincoln and Adelaide, accessing care had always been exhausting. Before Angel Flight, these trips meant up to 10 hours of travel each way, overnight stays, and often pulling the children out of school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything changed about a year ago, when Bec was in Port Lincoln for her own medical appointment and a speech pathologist suggested Angel Flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI honestly couldn\u2019t believe a service like this existed,\u201d Bec says. \u201cWe\u2019d spent years doing those massive trips, juggling kids, pain, stress, and logistics \u2014 thinking there was no other option.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living remotely, the drive alone is around 7.5 hours, often stretching closer to 10 with the additional stops their children require. For Bec, who suffers from severe nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and prolapsed spinal discs, long drives are extremely painful and not viable financially or logistically viable for her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAngel Flight has been a lifesaver,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s taken such a huge burden off my plate. I can focus on my children\u2019s needs without the added time, stress, and pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With flights and ground transport organised, never at any charge, the family\u2019s routine and budget has transformed. Angel Flight\u2019s support has made it possible for Bec to travel with just one child at a time, return home within days, and keep the rest of the family in their familiar routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis has reduced the impact on their schooling and overall wellbeing so much,\u201d Bec explains. \u201cIt\u2019s also helped build their independence and confidence \u2014 they\u2019re learning they can cope, be supported, and still feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also means that the child attending appointments receives calm, one-on-one attention, without the added stress of siblings navigating an unfamiliar and often overwhelming environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bec says the warmth and understanding shown by Angel Flight volunteers has been just as impactful as the flights themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost places we go, we face a lot of misunderstanding around our children\u2019s behaviours and sensory needs,\u201d she says. \u201cGetting strange, or even horrified looks has become \u2018normal\u2019 for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith Angel Flight, it\u2019s different. The drivers don\u2019t just overlook things, they actively help distract, soothe, and support the children. That makes such a difference in helping them settle and function safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe volunteers and staff truly feel like wizards navigating the city with us,\u201d Bec laughs. \u201cThe compassion and consideration we experience every time has exceeded all expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Bec and her family, Angel Flight has made essential medical care accessible and life-changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe simply could not do this without Angel Flight,\u201d she says. \u201cThis service makes it possible for families like ours, living in very rural and remote areas, to access the care we desperately need. We are so incredibly grateful to every single person who helps make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Two\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Investing in inclusion: Why rural playgroups deserve funding <\/a>\r\n\r\n

\r\n In rural towns across Australia, playgroups are more than just a space for children to play. They serve as vital Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Ella\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Ella\u2019s story: How Royal Far West\u2019s schools and early years service changes lives <\/a>\r\n\r\n

\r\n For 100 years, Royal Far West (RFW) has gone beyond improving the health and wellbeing of country children, providing the Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Young\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n From first steps to later years: CheckUP supports lifelong health in rural communities <\/a>\r\n\r\n

\r\n Access to quality healthcare is essential at every stage of life\u2014no matter where you live. For many rural and remote Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"Youth\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n Peer Work – providing hope and a career path for young people in South Eastern NSW <\/a>\r\n\r\n

\r\n In April 2025, members of the South Eastern NSW Peer workforce spoke for the first time at a headspace Youth Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n