WATCH: Stephen lives his dream with ER24

A lifetime dream recently came true for 18-year-old Stephen Vernon Carr's, who was diagnosed at birth with a terminal illness known as Williams Syndrome.

March 10, 2017

Tersia Gopi 2 minutes read

Stephen Carr lived his dream of riding in an ER24 ambulance. Margery Meijerink of ER24 assists Stephen with his helmet.

NEWCASTLE CBD – Stephen Carr’s dream has always been to ride in his favourite ambulance; ER24.

A lifetime dream recently came true for 18-year-old Stephen Vernon Carr’s, who was diagnosed at birth with a terminal illness known as Williams Syndrome.

Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body.

The condition is characterised by moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.

Life from child to adolescent has been particularly challenging for Stephen.

With his parents recent emigration to Dubai for employment, Stephen was left in Newcastle under the constant care of his aunt, Estelle van Zyl.

The team at ER24 made Stephen Carr’s dream a reality. Chantelle Rossouw, Bianca Jordaan, Debbie Gafney, Willem Rossouw, Margery Meijerink and Stephen Carr.

However, his dream remained the same.

Local fitness guru, Gato Swanepoel heard about Stephen’s dream, and made it his mission to help the teen make dreams a reality.

“Stephen is such a loving child. Whenever he hears ambulance sirens, he gets so excited and announces that ER24 is responding,” said Mrs van Zyl. “He is an avid fan of the service.”

On Tuesday, Margery Meijerink and the team at ER24 surprised Stephen at his home with blaring sirens and a high speed response, just as he had always imagined.

The five ER24 members arrived in three response vehicles.

Stephen received them with the brightest of smiles, and as luck would have it, Operations Manager, Willem Rossouw received a call about a ‘collision’ on the N11 at that precise moment.

Stephen was more than pleased to ride along in the response vehicle.

After attending the scene with the team, Stephen had the opportunity to alert ER24’s control room of the false alarm.

“This is ER24 response vehicle reporting a false alarm, I repeat a false alarm!” he said ecstatically.

Stephen also had the opportunity to transport a ‘patient’ in the ER24 ambulance with a paramedic.

Kitted out in a reflective jacket and a safety helmet, the naturally affectionate Stephen asked if his ‘patient’ was feeling better, and also checked her blood pressure with the assistance of an ER24 paramedic.

His new dream is to work for ER24 one day.

WATCH:ER24 help terminally ill teen realise his dream