17 April 2023 , 00:14
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A heartbroken mother has spoken of the moment she heard her teenage daughter's terrified final words before dying of an asthma attack.
The words still haunt Elaine Cunningham, whose youngest child Lauren Reid went into cardiac arrest after suffering an attack while working as a chef.
Lauren, 19, had called her mum to ask her to bring her inhaler to work, at Gin71, in Merchant City, reports Glasgow Live, but she was too late as an ambulance was already there and her daughter had gone into cardiac arrest.
She was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where she passed away in February 2020 and three years on, Elaine, 47, is still trying to come to terms with what happened.
Recalling her daughter’s last words before the phone cut off, Elaine said: “Someone called from her phone and I heard her shouting in the background ‘mum, I’m panicking’ and the phone got hung up on me.
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Elaine Cunningham, with daughter Lauren in happier times in 2014 (UGC)“It’s horrible to think those were her last moments and there was nothing I could do for her.
“Her heart had stopped for 35 minutes outside of work and her organs had all closed down by the time the ambulance arrived.
“The doctor came in and said ‘I’m sorry, but your daughter’s asthma attack has been fatal’. I asked what do you mean?
“He looked at me with that pity look and I said go in and fix my daughter, never mind sitting here talking to me. My life ended then.”
Lauren, a passionate chef, was also an avid fan of Rangers FC and a minute’s applause was held for her at Ibrox after she died.
Elaine has since started a Lauren’s Law campaign, where she is calling on the emergency use of salbutamol inhalers in commercial food premises to be allowed, without a prescription.
Now, she wants to create a Lauren’s Lodge where people who have suffered asthma attacks can go for respite once discharged from hospital.
Elaine added: “She loved being out having a laugh with her pals and taking the dogs to Glasgow Green. She was never in trouble and was a good girl.
Elaine Cunningham with daughter Lauren Reid (supplied)“She was genuinely my best friend in the world. Words can’t explain how much I miss her and the hurt I feel inside.
“I’ve got a memory bench for her in the back door which I sit on with my dogs.
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“Going from a house full constantly with the music on and friends in and out to now it’s just silence and that’s the hard part.
“I’m hoping for it (Lauren’s Lodge) to be a caravan to start with for people coming out of hospital after they’ve had an asthma attack or families who have gone through the same as myself. They can go and get a bit of respite.
“I know how hard and difficult it was coming out of hospital and having to go back into running that family. You don’t sleep and eat, it’s tiresome.
“I just wanted to help people.”
Elaine continues to raise awareness of Lauren’s Law and is active on TikTok having gained more than two million views.