The gymnasium at the school was standing room only on Nov. 26 as students, parents, staff, representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and various emergency personnel gathered for an assembly to share Brandon’s good-news story – and to honour those who made it possible.
“We’re very thankful to have this AED in our school,” principal Gerry Trumpour told the audience, referring to the automated external defibrillator that helped save the student’s life on Nov. 2. “Thank you all for this precious gift.”
Brandon made a moving speech thanking the friends, teachers, paramedics and OPP officers involved in saving his life. He presented each of them with a card and a small guardian angel. He also gave teacher Sara Knight a photo spelling out the word “Hero.”
“Words are just not enough…. I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I am only here because (these people) did what they were supposed to do correctly. I am lucky to be here.”
Southern Georgian Bay OPP Const. Robin Chiasson, a former nurse at the Mental Health Centre in Penetanguishene and Huronia District Hospital, was one of two officers who responded to the call about a student with no vital signs.
Chiasson told The Mirror being part of the Nov. 26 assembly was an honour.
“Actually seeing Brandon living and breathing, and actually being able to hug him … was truly amazing,” she said.
Const. Peter Hunter echoed those sentiments.
“It’s incredible to be involved in such a positive outcome (from) such a tragic incident.”
Acting Insp. Andrew Ferguson, the detachment commander, noted while the appreciation for his officers is phenomenal, the positive result was due to a team and community effort.
“I am very, very proud of my two officers … and happy to see Brandon up on stage looking vibrant and healthy.”
Brandon told The Mirror the ordeal was a frightening one, but it also served as a wakeup call.
“It’s been pretty scary. On Nov. 2, I think it changed everyone a little bit, and today it was a great assembly. I can’t thank them enough. They saved my life.”
Brandon, who underwent surgery to have an internal circadian pacemaker (ICP) placed in his chest in order to prevent a reoccurrence, said the incident let him know how severe his heart condition truly is.
“Now I know nobody will have to go through that ever again,” he said, referring unselfishly to the ordeal that friends, teachers and emergency personnel endured when he went into cardiac arrest.
The teen, who used to play soccer, acknowledged he will now have to ease up on physical activity, but said he hopes his near-tragedy will open eyes to the importance of having AEDs in every school.
“I hope that they put the AEDs in all the other schools because it can happen to anyone – parents, teachers, students.”
Sherry Bryant, Brandon’s aunt and guardian, said the past month has been a rough and scary one for the entire family.
“We knew that he had a heart disease and we knew that it was bad, but you kind of take it a little lighter,” she said. “Now, we know just how severe it is. It’s been a relief since they put the pacemaker/defibrillator in because we know it’s not going to get to the point of cardiac arrest.”
An emotional Bryant said words aren’t enough to express her gratitude to all involved in saving her nephew’s life.
“I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s such a great kid. We just moved from Windsor, and they don’t have the AEDs in the schools there,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the AEDs being in the schools here, we don’t know where he’d be. We’re just so thankful for everybody.”
Bryant described her nephew as a “fantastic kid” who will take full advantage of his second chance at life.
Teachers Shirley Taylor Banks and Sara Knight were the first staff members to arrive at the teen’s side, and they said they knew right away something was terribly wrong.
“It was obvious that there was an emergency medical situation and we knew that seconds saved lives,” said Banks, adding they immediately began CPR and called for help.
Knight said Brandon is a “wonderful student” who has handled this situation admirably: “The entire school is just so happy to see him back at school with the James Keating family.”
Chris Pischaf, acting supervisor with the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, said having in AEDs in schools is proving to be a great program.
“It’s worked in the past in some other public … places, but I think this is the first time it’s been activated in a school,” he said, adding early defibrillation is key to saving the life of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest.
“It’s important that AEDs get implemented and used by trained people so they can get defibrillated as soon as possible.”
Also present at last week’s assembly was John McEachern, father of Chase McEachern, who died in 2006 after collapsing during gym class.
Chase had a vision of having defibrillators placed in every arena and school in Ontario. Now, because of the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, there are more than 2,000 AEDs in Ontario in public areas.
“We live in Barrie, and this is the first school save,” McEachern told The Mirror, adding the knowledge that his son’s vision has helped save another boy’s life is overwhelming.
“It’s a very happy moment. We made a positive out of a negative with Chase’s death, and we’re going to keep moving forward.”
nmillion@simcoe.com
