We are proud to announce the publication of Olivia’s Air Ambulance Adventure, a children’s book authored by Anne Rodenburg, AirLink’s Commercial Director. Written to commemorate AirLink’s 25th anniversary, this book goes beyond storytelling; it serves as a unique tool for young patients, helping them understand and process the experience of air ambulance transportation.
Anne, with years of experience in the air ambulance industry, recognized that air transport can be a daunting experience, especially for children. “We are very aware that an air ambulance transport is an impactful experience, especially for children. Storytelling could empower children to deal with these experiences by helping them reconstruct and understand what happened, find meaning in themes of resilience, and check in with their feelings,” she explained.
The story in Olivia’s Air Ambulance Adventure follows a young girl, Olivia, who is on holiday in Mexico with her family and suddenly falls ill. An air ambulance is arranged, and Olivia is transported back home, with every step of her journey depicted in a way that’s both comforting and informative. Through Olivia’s story, young readers learn what generally happens during an air ambulance transport, offering a reassuring perspective on an otherwise unfamiliar experience.
The book provides not only practical insights into the process of air medical transportation but also offers a glimpse into the meaningful work that AirLink performs. It illustrates the commitment and passion of the entire AirLink team, emphasizing the dedication required to care for patients at a critical time in their lives. This aligns with our company’s mission to offer empathetic, comprehensive care that goes beyond the logistics of transport.
Anne collaborated with long-time AirLink designer Ruth Nelly, who brought the story to life with engaging illustrations. “Ruth Nelly, a fantastic designer who has been working with AirLink for more than a decade, made the illustrations. Another colleague, Ericka, translated the text so we could have it in two languages,” Anne shared. The bilingual format makes the book accessible to a wider audience, reinforcing AirLink’s commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care.
A unique detail in the book is the inclusion of AirLink’s real-life crew members, who inspired the characters. “Yes! Without mentioning their names, they look like some of our fantastic crew members. Our Captain Rogelio is one of them; he always wears a red nose when transporting a child,” Anne said. This small yet significant touch honors the dedication of AirLink’s crew, highlighting the human side of our operations.
Whenever appropriate, AirLink provides a copy of Olivia’s Air Ambulance Adventure to young patients who have experienced air ambulance transport. “We hope this helps them in their process,” Anne explained. By offering children a way to understand their experience, the book aims to empower young patients, helping them process and reflect on their journey with a sense of comfort and understanding.
As we celebrated AirLink’s 25th anniversary, we are excited to share this meaningful project with the world. Olivia’s Air Ambulance Adventure is a testament to our commitment to compassionate care and the importance of making our services accessible and understandable for all ages. For more information on where to find the book, please contact us.