My wife, Susan is an avid runner. That is one of the things that fills her cup. My sons, Timothy, Jonathan, and daughter-in-law, Michelle also enjoy running. They not only enjoy it for the exercise, but when there are area fun-runs, 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, even triathlons as of late, odds are you may find at least one of them participating.
Me, not so much in fact, not at all! That is not an activity that fills my cup and I have NO interest in it whatsoever. Over the years, I have made this quite clear to my family. Do not ask me to go running. Do not ask me to join in any kind of fun-run. The answer will always be the same. And there is nothing NOTHING that will EVER change my mind.
Last November, my oldest son Timothy emails me information about a 5K taking place in Carmel. Oh, here we go! Within the hour, Sue, Tim, Jon, Michelle and I were registered to participate. And on Thanksgiving morning, in the snow and the cold, I participated in my first-ever fun-run and finished with an 11-minute/mile average.
So what was it after all these years of defiant refusal? What was it that would even prompt my son, Timothy to send me that email in the first place? What was it that would compel me of all people without any arm-twisting whatsoever, to pay yes, PAY a registration fee and participate in a 5K? It was this! AED
On Saturday, October 26, 2013, I was at Carmel Lutheran Church getting ready for worship. Fifteen minutes before the service, I suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). My doctors told me that I was dead before I even hit the floor. Had I been most anywhere else, that is the way that the story of my life would have ended.
Fortunately, the Lord surrounded me with individuals who acted promptly and appropriately. Some of those individuals are here today and I ask that they stand as I mention them. Eric Nelsonand Ernie Verbarg were the first to assess my situation and take charge. Pastor Max Murphy called 911. Jackie Renick performed CPR, followed by Pastor Max Murphy. Marc Zollner and Jake Gerber sprinted all the way to the other end of our facility to get the lone AED we had on hand. Carmel Fire Department, Station 44, C Team were by my side within 2 minutes and resuscitated me: FF/EMT-P Brad Allen, LT/EMT-P Jim Foster, FF Scott Woodburn, FF Erik Thordarson, Engineer Jeff Grimes, and FF/EMT-P Rick (Richard) Viehe.
Would you please join with me in gratefully acknowledging what these individuals did on my behalf?
Through their efforts, along with those who are behind the technology of AEDs, I am of the less than 8% of individuals given my circumstances who has not only survived sudden cardiac arrest, but of the even smaller percent who has survived without any significant lasting impact. I have a lot for which to be grateful and cannot say “Thank You” enough!
That is what prompted me to participate in Bolt for the Heart this past Thanksgiving. Through the efforts of HeartReach, AEDs are being purchased and placed throughout central Indiana. This will result in the saving of lives. And I am sure that you all would agree with me when I say: What a blessing it is that others will have the same opportunity that I now have to continue enjoying life and making memories with family and friends!