Queensland storms: Mum saves son with EV feature during 'life-threatening' power outage
Kristy Holmes' son Levi, 11, relies on a dialysis machine to stay healthy and happy – which was a major problem when power went out on Christmas Day.
The last thing you hope for on Christmas Day is for the lights to turn off and to lose power in your home, but for many Aussies that was the reality as storms ravaged parts of Queensland. And for one family the unwelcome turn of events caused a much more dire problem than sour milk.
Kristy Holmes' son Levi, 11, relies on a dialysis machine and receives treatment several times a week to manage the impacts of kidney failure. After power was still not restored in her Gold Coast home on Boxing Day, the family had to scramble to find a way to power the life-saving machine — turning to their electric vehicle.
"We ran an extension cord, a very long extension cord, from the car outside, up the stairs into Levi's bedroom where his dialysis machine is," she told Yahoo News Australia.
Thanks to the BYD Atto 3's back-up power system — which acts as an emergency generator — Levi was able to receive the treatment and avoid the life-threatening health consequences. Without the car's power source, the family would have been forced to rush to hospital in the treacherous conditions.
"It was a really big storm, it was actually a tornado. The power went out. Trees were everywhere. And lots of rain and thunder and lightning ... We were lucky to have it [the electric car]," Kristy said.
Family thankful for car's 'life-saving' feature
Since purchasing the electric car in March last year Kristy explained the car's battery has not only been life-saving but also hugely convenient as it has allowed the family to enjoy activities.
"In our complex we have a little park and I've organised nights where we watch football on a big projector screen there ... I've even made a batch of mulled wine off the car in the colder months," she said.
Thousands of Aussies impacted by kidney disease
More than two million people in the country suffer from kidney disease which translates to roughly one in 10 people according to Kidney Health. Much like Levi seeking a kidney transplant— with the youngster going on the transplant list next month — transplants can offer hope to those living with kidney issues and success rate of transplants are high at 94 per cent.
While waiting on the transplant list, those receiving dialysis can spend up to 60 hours a month strapped to a machine to stay alive.
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