The Flying Doctor

• #131 Sean Survived a Shark Attack. Now he's Snowboarding for Australia.

  When Sean Pollard felt something 'bump' his leg while surfing off the Esperance coastline back in 2014, he had no idea what had hit him. Until the 3.5 meter Great White Shark that was attacking him, came back for another bite. Seconds later, having lost an arm and his other hand, Sean realised his only chance of survival was to swim some 100 meters back to the shore...to his waiting girlfriend (and now wife) Claire. All the while, that same shark continued circling and waited for him to bleed out. Incredibly, Sean not only survived that terrifying ordeal - but he's since thrived. After marrying the love of his life and having a beautiful baby daughter together, Sean is now an international para-Snowboarding champion, with his sights firmly set on the 2026 Winter Olympics.***Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #130 A Rare Tumour was Strangling Simon's Spine

  Simon Green isn't the first country bloke to put off going to the Doctor. But when an extremely rare and sinister tumour began snaking its way down his spine, time was not on the father of three's side. In less than four weeks, his symptoms morphed from mild discomfort to nerve tingling to full-blown paralysis of his lower body. With Simon's condition quickly deteriorating, his Doctors arranged an emergency RFDS evacuation to Newcastle. Later, specialists from around the world would consult on the best way to salvage his spinal cord and save Simon's life - after diagnosing him with a cancer of the Central Nervous System that accounts for less than 2% of all brain and other CNS tumors.***Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us.There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #129 From Boots to Scrubs - Chloe's Coo-ee to Country Girls

  For many remote and rural country kids, the dream of one day becoming a Doctor is just that. A dream. Because the challenges of vast distances to school and study, a lack of mentors and the often-daunting University entry pathways can all seem insurmountable. But the founder of the Boots to Scrubs scholarship and mentoring program for young rural women, RN and fifth year medical student Chloe Campbell, is keen to change this view. As a remote, rural woman who also happens to be dyslexic, Chloe is on a mission to inspire more country kids to consider a pathway into medicine, nursing or allied health - and she's leading by example. Having just returned from a life-changing one month placement with the RFDS in Broome, WA, Chloe says the title of 'Flying Doc' is now one she's keen to pursue.***Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. You can also find out more about the Boots to Scrubs scholarships and free mentoring programs here. Contact — Boots to Scrubs There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #128 Bull dust, chandelier skies and a whiff of wombat.

  After experiencing a childhood filled with outback road trips, RFDS Policy and Advocacy Advisor Doug Wyllie carries the red dust of a million miles of the Australian outback in his veins. From the stories of wearing swimming goggles while his parents negotiated driving along an outback road without a windscreen, to the real-life RFDS rescue mission he launched on the remote Birdsville track, Doug shares his crazy adventures along distant 'tracks less travelled'. And this episode also comes with a listener WARNING! You may be at risk of wanting to jump in your car or hop aboard a motorbike and immediately head 'out bush', after listening to Doug's tall tales. But if you do, just make sure to look out for any bull dust!***Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. You can also find out more about the volunteer HF Radio network mentioned in this interview at VKS-737 The Australian National 4WD Radio Network. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #127 The Batman Backpack that's giving back. Jaydan's Journey.

  What to bring when you haven't got a thing? For those rural and remote families who suddenly find themselves aboard an RFDS flight to a faraway city hospital, having a few 'overnight essentials' close at hand can make all the difference. But it was at the moment when Kalgoorlie mum, Kim Luke, found herself in that very situation - with just her sick son's Batman Backpack with her on an emergency retrieval flight to Perth - that the idea of a 'Grab and Go Bag' came to her. But what makes Kim's generous idea even more remarkable was that at the time, she was facing one of the worst days of her life. Because Kim's son Jayden was gravely ill, and his Doctors had no idea what was happening to him. Today, Jayden is a health, active boy who loves his bikes. But just a few short years ago, Jayden was diagnosed with one of the most common but aggressive forms of childhood cancer - a Wilms Tumour. This is Jayden's journey.****Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. To find out more about WA's RFDS Grab and Go Bags, you can visit Grab 'n Go Bag | Rotary Club of Boulder Western Australia or Boulder Rotary Club of WA donate grab and go bags for RFDS patients | Royal Flying Doctor ServiceThere has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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