One of Mikey’s Kids Got A Second Chance at Life
We received the best kind of news today! One of our Mikey’s Kids families called to let us know we gave their toddler a second chance at life.
Through the Mikey’s Kids program, Families whose children are at high risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) are provided with a MIKEY, a portable automated external defibrillator (AED), to carry with them at all times so their kids are protected at home, school or play.
The family was able to use their MIKEY AED and bring their child to the hospital to receive treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family for a speedy recovery.
UPDATE:
The child’s father Craig, was kind enough to tell his story in the comments section below.
Craig and Jennifer Hansen were able to use their MIKEY on their 2 year old son Carter, who went into arrhythmia. After delivering a shock he started breathing on his own again and they observed him and kept the AED on him until EMS arrived.
Carter was brought to SickKids Hospital for treatment and is now back at home with his parents.
Craig said,
“You guys gave us another chance with our son. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Mikey Network Chairman Hugh Heron said this about the Mikey’s Kids program,
“When a child has a serious cardiac problem, the family lives in constant fear, knowing the heart can skip a beat at any moment. As a result, the child often has to stay close to home and/or a hospital. The Mikey’s Kids program provides families with portable MIKEYS so these children can lead more normal lives. The Mikey Network works with various organizations including Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, Ottawa’s Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Hamilton’s McMaster Children’s Hospital, to provide MIKEYS to families in need.”
We are truly humbled by Craig and Jennifer’s story and we pray for Carter. We hope this inspires every family to learn CPR, and every family with a baby to learn infant CPR.
It takes a community to help a child with heart problems…
Please help us place a MIKEY in the home of every family in need
That was us. Our 2-year-old son Carter went into arrhythmia and then cardiac arrest back in May due to a previously undiagnosed benign heart tumor. The paramedics got a rhythm back after 27 minutes, but the resulting significant brain injury kept us in Sick Kids and Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehab Hospital for 6 months, and we’re still fighting to regain as much of our son’s coordination and mobility and speech as we can. We went home a month ago with an AED from The Mikey Network, knowing that any further arrest would be incredibly critical. Neurologists told us that by the time EMS arrived, it would be too late. Our only chance was the defibrillator.
Carter went into arrhythmia again Monday morning. We started CPR immediately. Due to the training supplied by The Mikey Network, we had his shirt off and the pads on him well ahead of the voice prompts from the AED. The defibrillator analyzed and advised a shock, which we delivered. The change in our son was immediate. He started breathing on his own again. We observed him and kept the AED on him until EMS arrived.
You guys gave us another chance with our son. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Forgive me, it was Tuesday morning. My mind may not be fully working after that ordeal.
Craig, we are humbled that you stopped by here to tell your story at such a stressful time for you and your family. We don’t think we would be nearly as articulate as you in your shoes!
You are most welcome Craig. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. We are elated that you were able to take action so quickly to save your son. We are inspired to have played a roll but you are the hero here.