Heat hits hard

By Lia Bichel
THE family of a Berwick man, who was left fighting for his life after suffering from heat stroke, is telling his story in the hope that people will take proper precautions before going out in the sun.
On Valentine’s Day two years ago, Berwick resident Bernadette Byrne received a phone call that changed her life.
“It’s one of those phone calls parent should never receive. Police told me my son, Alan, was in the hospital in Queensland, severely sick,” she said.
“I panicked. I was shaking and crying. I was just in total shock.”
Mrs Byrne and her husband Des flew to Queensland to be by their son’s side. He was in a coma and on full life support. Their five other children later joined them.
Doctors said Allan had collapsed due to heat stroke while he worked as a bricklayer in 42-degree weather. They did not expect him to live.
Fortunately he did live, but the heat stroke left him unable to walk and has affected his speech.
His top jaw and nose deteriorated from the stroke, and he had to have facial reconstruction.
His family helped him constantly when he moved back to Victoria, and now he depends on carers. He currently attends physiotherapy at Cranbourne Community Rehabilitation Centre.
“It’s been a long journey and a hard journey for all of us, but Alan has improved so much,” Mrs Byrne said.
“He was depressed at first, but he’s gotten through that stage. He is trying new things like going to the gym, sailing with the organisation Sailability, and shooting at Springvale. He is a fighter.”
Mrs Byrne said family, friends, and acquaintances were shocked by the severity of the situation.
“It’s unbelievable. No-one knew that heat stroke could do this to someone. It’s changed his whole life, and it’s changed our whole life,” she said.
“We have learnt a lot from it. We are all very conscious before we go in the sun now. It’s important for people to take the proper precautions. The heat can be a dangerous thing.”