Aurelia’s Miracle: A Story of Survival and Awareness

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Aurelia has had weekly swimming lessons since she was three weeks old. On the rare occasions she missed a lesson due to illness or travel, we always ensured she had a lesson from us that same week. Every swimming instructor we’ve encountered has recommended the Zoggs foam float discs, and Aurelia has always worn them. She knew, or we believed she knew, to never go near the water without them.

During both of my pregnancies, I attended multiple first aid courses. I grew up with a paediatric nurse for a mother, who made sure I was educated and aware. I believed I had a solid understanding of how to handle emergencies, and I was hyper-aware of risks and how to prevent them.

I never thought this would happen to us. Our child. But I was never naïve enough to ignore the possibility.

The Day Everything Changed

On February 20th, we were in Thailand, getting ready to visit a temple in Phuket. I had just put sunscreen on Aurelia and left her in the living room, wearing only a hooded towel while it soaked in. She was playing with some slime we had bought that morning. My husband and two family friends were there with her.

Meanwhile, our friends’ two children were outside playing. They weren’t in the pool or in swimwear, just playing nearby, as the garden was mostly taken up by the pool. I moved into the bedroom to get my other daughter, Aesa, ready for the day. When I left, Aurelia was safe.

A few minutes later, I returned to the living room. That’s when I heard it.

My friend’s son shouted: “Mummy! Aurelia!”

In that instant, I knew.

My husband, sitting just two meters from the pool, was there in seconds. I was right behind him. And there she was; floating in the water. Blue. Lifeless. Gone.

As I ran to her, I slipped and fell into the pool. My husband had already pulled her out and laid her on the ground. Within seconds, I was performing CPR on my baby. My perfect baby.

In that moment, I lost everything.

Screaming, crying, I couldn’t let her go. I couldn’t accept it. I kept going. I begged for a second chance, telling her how sorry I was. My friend Lina, who loves Aurelia like her own, performed mouth-to-mouth and kept me from giving up. Together, two mothers, we kept going.

My husband, desperate, tried to call an ambulance. When he couldn’t get through, he broke down a neighbor’s door trying to get help.

After under 10 minutes of CPR, Aurelia vomited; water, food, blood. Her eyes opened. Her chest rose. She was alive.

She came back.

A miracle happened, and my baby came back.

The Longest Wait

The ambulance still wasn’t there. I placed Aurelia in the recovery position and instinctively took off my shirt and held her against me, desperate to let her know: I am here. I’m with you. I will not let you down.

Because of the villa’s remote location, it took longer than usual for help to arrive. When they did, Aurelia’s vitals were checked, and she was given oxygen.

But I knew—it wasn’t over.

I know the risks of drowning. Secondary drowning. Brain damage. Organ failure. The questions flooded in:

• How did no one see her go in?

• Why did she go near the water?

• Will she remember?

• Will she hate me for not being there when she needed me most?

• How much damage has been done?

• Will she be able to walk? Talk? Eat? Play?

The First Signs of Hope

As soon as we arrived at the hospital and Aurelia was stable, I called and texted everyone I love—everyone who loves Aurelia—and without explanation, I begged them to pray, manifest, speak out loud about her future.

Then, I went back to my baby.

When she came around, she spoke. My mum was on FaceTime, and Aurelia slowly talked to her granny.

Two boxes ticked in my head: Recognition. Speech.

I needed to know she was still her, so I tried to distract her from the doctors. I asked if she wanted to play. My husband bought her a Frozen playset with painting and stickers, her absolute favourite.

Lying there, with an oxygen mask on and barely able to talk, she picked up a paintbrush. She asked me for different colours.

Another box ticked.

That evening, we were transferred to Bangkok Phuket Hospital. By 7 PM, 8 hours later. Aurelia had eaten, played, laughed, and walked around, exploring her new surroundings.

Later, while we were having dinner, she turned to me and said:

“Mummy, I fell in the pool. I was scared.”

My friend’s eldest son told us what he believed happened. She got slime on her towel, took it off because it was dirty, and went to rinse her hands in the pool. She slipped.

She remembers.

And it hurts so much because she remembers I wasn’t there when it mattered most. My soul is broken and I cannot forgive myself.

Why I’m Sharing This

Aurelia survived. She made it.

God answered our prayers. The universe listened. And my baby is back—perfect and whole—as if nothing happened.

But I can’t stop seeing it. Every time I blink, I see her in the water. Every time I try to sleep, I relive it all over again.

I never share personal moments like this—we are a private family. But I feel I have a responsibility. I need to share this for three reasons:

1. To Spread Awareness About Drowning Risks

• It takes just 20 seconds for a 2-year-old to drown.

• Within minutes without oxygen, brain damage can occur.

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 5, accounting for a quarter of all drowning deaths worldwide.

• In the UK, 80% of drowning deaths happen in the bath.

• For every child that dies from drowning, another 7–8 receive emergency department care for non-fatal drowning.

• If you are ever around children and water—ACT FAST. Every second matters.

• Educate yourself. Take a first aid course. Even if you believe it would never be you.

2. To Remind Myself—and Others—to Be Present

• I will never rush my children again when they want to smell flowers.

• I will never dismiss them because I have something else to do.

• I will always be their safe place.

3. To Encourage Kindness

• My husband and I have always given to charity and helped those in need.

• Now, more than ever, I urge others: give when you can. Help when you can.

Aurelia is here today because of love, prayers, and a miracle.

I will never take that for granted.