Teddy's Fight: Epilepsy Battle in Perth

0:00A three-year-old boy from Perth, named Teddy Tangney, is battling a severe form of drug-resistant epilepsy that causes nightly seizures. His family is upset because the public health system keeps sending them to emergency rooms instead of providing steady, specialist care at Perth. Children's Hospital Diagnosed six months ago with generalized myoclonic epilepsy syndrome, Teddy endures uncontrolled seizures every night since September. These attacks include myoclonic jerks, vocal outbursts, and intense tonic clinic episodes that hit between 1am and 4am, often lasting up to 20 minutes. His body stiffens, he jerks violently, bombets, and struggles to breathe, forcing his parents to give rescue meds and call an ambulance after five minutes. They started at Rockingham Hospital, but got bounced to Perth Children's Hospital, where officials say his case is too complex for routine outpatient. Follow-up Teddy's mom, Sarah Tangney, describes the fear of not knowing if he'll wake up each night,

1:00and she insists emergency visits aren't right for ongoing. Needs like consistent medication trials. The family can't find a private specialist either, leaving them stuck in this loop. It's taking a huge toll, with no seizure control in sight. Health officials acknowledge the frustration and say they're in touch with the family, claiming for the best care closer to home when possible, though. Some treatments need hospital stays. The Western Australia Health Minister assures parents that clinicians are top-notch and tailor care to each child, but won't detail Teddy's plan due. To privacy rules, meanwhile, opposition voices call for a proper ongoing care plan at Perth Children's Hospital, especially in a wealthy state. A federal Senate inquiry is now probing epilepsy treatment barriers, like specialist shortages, which could bring wider changes for families like the, Tangnees. That's the story for today. Adelaide News Today, Driven by AI