We will be reporting on lives saved around the world since our first documented life saved here in Singapore.
Thomas and another student were racing up the school’s front drive about 4:10 p.m during the first day of track practice, when Thomas fell to the pavement.
Eisenhower Middle School Principal Jill Davis, the first to respond, began CPR after she determined that Thomas wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.
Physical education teacher Becky Smith retrieved an automated external defibrillator from the school. Math teacher Dan Schroeder connected Thomas to the AED and administered shock treatments, while Smith and Assistant Principal Christine Riemer assisted Davis with CPR.
Math teacher Dan Schroeder says that voice from the school defibrillator helped him and several others save their student.
“I checked for a pulse and could not find one and then I saw the compression’s were being done from the other teachers.”
P.E. teacher Becky Smith ran the defibrillator outside as other staff members applied CPR and waited for an ambulance.
“I’m thankful that we were all there and that we could help this young man and that he’s doing well.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that I helped save someone’s life, especially a young student,” says Ty-Ray’s track coach Chana Hinkston.
Paramedics were able to re-establish a heart rhythm with Thomas in the ambulance en route to the hospital.
Ty-Ray is currently recovering at Rockford Memorial Hospital.
Ty-Ray’s dad, Steve Thomas, says the family didn’t know his son had a heart condition before he collapsed on Wednesday. But now he’s on the road to recovery.
My other son is up there got him doing leg exercises right now, so we can get him stronger, he’s standing, sitting on a chair right now , it’s a blessing.”
“If they didn’t go through that training there’s no telling what would have happened, if they weren’t there at the right time, he’d be lost, I mean he would have been gone.”
Update 16th May 2009
“I’m just thankful to be here,” Ty-Ray said Thursday.
He and his mom, Marlo Thomas, agree that Ty-Ray is a lucky kid.
“God put everybody in the place they were supposed to be,” Marlo said. “Because if they weren’t, who knows what would have happened. It wasn’t his time yet.”
He still might play basketball in the future, but for now he’s taking things slow.
“I’m just thankful to be here and thankful that God touched me,” he said.
