Local hero’s quick thinking saves grandmother

By Caleb Francis

Aug 7, 2023

Thumbs up: Sam Harmes with Acting Senior Sergeant Shane Biderman. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

When crisis struck at home, Sam Harmes’s quick thinking turned him into a life-saving hero.

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Despite being non-verbal and having Down syndrome, Mr Harmes, a Shepparton Access participant, used his iPad to communicate a life-threatening situation and saved his grandmother last week.

According to Shepparton Access services manager Siobhan Whitzell, Mr Harmes returned home to a chilling scene: his grandmother, ‘GG’, was lying on the floor, in excruciating pain.

Although unable to express himself through words, Mr Harmes did not allow panic to cloud his judgment.

He FaceTimed his parents, using his iPad to show them the situation at hand.

Mrs Whitzell said Mr Harmes verbalised ‘GG sick, 000’.

Group photo: Shepparton Access participants alongside local police. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Immediately grasping the gravity of the situation, his parents, Jenny and John, called the emergency services and rushed home.

GG was transported to the hospital, where it became evident just how crucial Mr Harmes’s timely intervention had been.

“Sam was instrumental in saving his grandmother,” Mrs Whitzell said.

Recognising the significance of Mr Harmes’s actions, Shepparton police officers Acting Senior Sergeant Shane Biderman, Acting Sergeant Nathan Trimby, Leading Senior Constable Darren Smith, Senior Constable Bernard Cline and First Constable Amy Williams visited Shepparton Access last Friday.

Their aim was to both commend Mr Harmes’s heroic act and further bolster the vital message that emergency services are steadfast allies, ready to support every community member.

The story sheds light on the pivotal role played by organisations such as Shepparton Access in supporting adults with disabilities.

Mrs Whitzell said the staff at Shepparton Access work diligently with participants such as Mr Harmes daily “to increase their independence and life skills”, and to teach them how to act in emergencies, including making a 000 call.