On October 11, 2006, my 14 year old daughter collapsed during volleyball practice.  I received a call from her cell phone and thought she was telling me to come early to pick her up.  But on the other end, a frightened teammate told me to come to the school at once.  Immediatley afterwards, a succession of phones calls followed from school officials to coaches.  I had no idea what had happened and no one could tell me what was happening.  With my younger son in tow, we raced to the high school.  It wasn't until we reached the emergency room did I find out what really happened.  One of my greatest fears was coming true right before my eyes and I felt helpless to stop it.

Immediately after my daughter's collapse, the team of coaches performed CPR and used a portable defibrillator.  A life-saving shock was delivered and normal heart rythm was restored.  EMS was quickly called as well and within minutes they arrived to transport her to the ER. 

The series of events was seemless and textbook.  EVERYONE knew what to do and when to do it.  From the life saving measures of the staff at her school to the highly trained EMS and ER personnell, Brit did not revert back to another SCA.

A total of 18 people were recognized for their life-saving measures through the local fire department and the staff at the high school were also recognized at the fire station as well as a huge staff appreciation event the other day. 

The company where my husband works donated what is now the fifth or sixth AED device at the high school.  No amount of words can express my heart felt gratitude for these angels who insist they were just doing their job. 

It is now three months later and my daughter has been episode free.  She still has PVCs, but with an implanted ICD and a beta blocker, we are hopeful she will be able to lead a normal life.  While she is disappointed she will not be able to play sports again, we are working on other things that she has interest in.

These devices are life-savers and it will be my mission to be sure that awareness is spread and to support organizations such as this one.