Seven months after a freak accident nearly took her daughter’s life, Shaydeen O’Sullivan has a simple message for the paramedics who saved her: “Thank you”.

A family outing in Ballito last October turned into a scene of terror when a heavy log fell on young Kiera O’Sullivan, crushing part of her skull and facial structure. The grave head injury left her fighting for her life.

The Netcare 911 team that responded that day could not have known then that the little girl they were fighting to save would one day return to being “Cowgirl Kiera” – back in the saddle and doing what she loves most.

“When Kiera was critically injured, your professionalism, skill and compassion made all the difference,” Shaydeen said as the world marks International Paramedics Day today, Wednesday 8 July.

“Today, seven months later, she is back at school, thriving, and has returned to her horse riding lessons. Our family will never forget the care and support we received from Netcare 911 paramedics when we needed it most.”

For those who hold lives in their hands, knowing those lives are being lived to the fullest is one of the greatest rewards.

Kiera’s story is one of 209 469 calls for help Netcare 911 responded to over the past year – more than 500 every day. Behind every one of those calls are paramedics who answer without hesitation, regardless of the hour or personal sacrifice.

For Gabriel Mosca, being a paramedic is more than a profession.

“To be a paramedic means being a pillar of strength in someone’s darkest hour. To be a source of calm. It’s an honour,” he said.

His colleague, Clarinda Neven, describes it as a calling.

“It’s a core calling from within your being – to be there for others and to try and save lives. It’s a voice that you have in you that just won’t be quiet, unless you feed it.”

That calling sometimes requires personal sacrifice.

“You may miss out on celebrating family birthdays – but every year, there is another birthday, another Christmas. The patient may not have that chance again,” Neven said.

Even when the shift ends, the memories persist.

“There are places that you drive, smells you encounter and scenes you witness that stay with you forever,” said Netcare 911 rescue officer Nick Berry. “Sometimes, years later, you just remember them again.”

To mark International Paramedics Day, Netcare 911 shared messages from paramedics who dedicate themselves daily to helping others through some of life’s most challenging moments.

“Every life saved, every family reunited, and every future restored gives meaning to the sacrifices emergency medical services make,” said Netcare 911 managing director Craig Grindell.

Members of the public who have been helped by Netcare 911 paramedics can share their stories on the Netcare Facebook page (Netcare Limited) and Instagram (@Netcare_ZA).