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LEXINGTON MOTHER NAMED
2008 OKLAHOMA HEART HERO AFTER SAVING INFANT SON
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OSU Student, Ponca City Paramedic and Oklahoma City Principal Honored as Finalists for Life-Saving Rescues
Oklahoma Heart Hospital recently announced the winner of the third annual Oklahoma Heart Hero award – Lexington mother Audra Skaggs. “Audra has the foresight to be prepared and the courage to put her fears aside to rescue her baby when he became unconscious and quit breathing. She is an example to others that ordinary people can become extraordinary in the face of potential tragedy,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
The purpose of the award is to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and use of an AED and to have the confidence to get involved when circumstances are warranted.
“This year brought in the largest number of nominations in the three year history of the award, stories ranging from heroes who performed CPR on family members, strangers and friends in a variety of situations that sometimes put their lives as risk,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital. “The purpose of these awards are to recognize civilians and trained rescuers who stepped up to attempt to save a life.”
2008 nominations came from all over the state. The winner is determined by the events of the rescue, whether they were a civilian or trained professional, the age of the victim, and any special circumstances. Winners had to administer CPR or use an Automated External Defibrillator device as are found in malls, businesses and schools.
Three finalists have been named and the winners were announced during a reception at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital on Thursday, August 28th. The Oklahoma Heart Hospital is located at 4050 W. Memorial Road, just east of Mercy Health Center.
2008 Oklahoma Heart Hero - Winner:
Audra Skaggs – Rescued Infant Son
On November 1st Audra Skaggs was alone at home in Lexington with her 3-year-old child and 10 month-old baby Jhett. Jhett had medical problems but no diagnosed heart problems. That day Jhett stopped breathing and lost consciousness. Audra knew CPR and quickly overcome the natural panic and fear of seeing her baby stop breathing, to begin the technique to revive him.
He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital where they discovered the baby had a rare disease of the heart called left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy. For two weeks he lay sedated and unconscious before making the long flight to Houston for a heart transplant. One November 29th – Jhett received his new heart – thanks to his mothers CPR training, quick thinking, and courage in crisis.
Finalist - Principal Mickey Wilson – Rescued Student:
Mickey Wilson, the Principal at Harvest Hills Elementary in Oklahoma City knew something was terribly wrong outside his office on November 20th 2007. 10-year-old Casey Amend was slumped over a chair in cardiac arrest. The whole office leaped into action – calling 911, clearing the area while Wilson began performing CPR on the boy. The boy still was lifeless when paramedics arrived with an AED.. and still no response. ER doctors finally restored a pulse, but the boy suffered massive strokes and lingered on a ventilator. His family was told he was brain-dead. An outpouring of prayers came for Casey. The next 16 days he began steady improvement and two months later Casey was back at school – with no brain injury and no permanent damage. He is still undergoing specialized rehabilitation in Texas – but there is such great hope thanks to this principal and his office team.
Finalist - Chelsea Dyer/Rick Baird – Rescued Stranger:
Chelsea Dyer was the senior mat maid for the Ponca City High School Wrestling team. One of her jobs is to make sure the team always has an automatic external defibrillator on hand in case of an emergency. On December 15, 2007 in Kansas City 24 wrestling teams from across the country were competing. Suddenly, a fan in the stands went down. Rick Baird was watching his son wrestle on the Ponca City team when he saw the man go unconscious. As an off-duty fireman, he quickly began CPR. Chelsea saw the emergency unfold across the arena and immediately knew the AED was needed. She rushed to retrieve the AED and get it to Baird – the man was saved. Ponca City was the only one of 24 teams that carried the life-saving device. The Ponca City wrestling coach made the commitment to carry an AED every the team goes after an incident last year in which a Ponca City youth was saved at an Oklahoma State University wrestling camp because the OSU wrestling trainers were certified in CPR and the use of AED’s. The OSU trainers were the winners of last years Oklahoma Heart Heroes – and now their efforts have led to another life saved.
Giving Heart Award also awarded. The 2008 “Oklahoma Giving Heart” award will be given to an organization whose collective actions and commitment to life-saving training techniques have saved lives this year and likely will again in the future.
Oklahoma Giving Heart Winner - Fillmore Elementary School:
Spring 2008, the attendance secretary at Fillmore Elementary School in Oklahoma City Demetri Wooten was in the office when a student’s mother came into the office carrying her infant. Moments later Demetri noticed panic in the mothers face and realized the baby was turning blue – not breathing. The secretary immediately ran to the baby’s side and began CPR, by the time paramedics arrived two-month-old Lucero Montero was breathing again. The baby wasn’t the first life saved this year at Fillmore Elementary. Months earlier another teacher performed the Heimlich Maneuver to save a students life.
Oklahoma schools are required to train two people at each school in CPR – but Fillmore Elementary Principal Susan Martin says that isn’t nearly enough – she wants 100% of her staff trained in the life-saving technique. That commitment is saving lives and setting an example for other Oklahoma schools, companies and organizations.