Brad and Maren Choate Hannink: Can we save children’s lives with AEDs?
As native Modestans, we were saddened to read about the death of Gregori High School sophomore Andy Vasquez on May 4. Two years ago, we lost our 15-year-old son under similar circumstances.
Caleb was diagnosed with dialated cardiomyopathy at age 13. His cardiac medical team did not anticipate a sudden cardiac arrest. His unexpected collapse at gym class was met with immediate attempts at resuscitation and transport to a local hospital. Like Gregori High School, the high school Caleb attended did not have automated external defibrillators (AED).
After Caleb's death, a parent whose 14-year-old daughter collapsed at her junior high and died, and a local physician began to solicit the Kern High School District to have AEDs placed on its campuses. Despite the expense, the Kern High School District chose to help protect the lives of its students.
We all have been irrevocably changed by what might have been prevented. In life or death, our children’s lives matter. Hopefully, other school districts will strongly consider placing defibrillators on campuses so that tragedies like these might be prevented. What parent or educator would object to that?
Brad and Maren Choate Hannink, Bakersfield
This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Brad and Maren Choate Hannink: Can we save children’s lives with AEDs?."