The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Quick effort gratitude
School staff honored for saving life of colleague
A Lorain educator is recovering from a heart attack thanks to the quick efforts of three colleagues who saved her life at Longfellow Middle School.
Sixth-grade teacher Ryan Dickason, intervention specialist teacher Amy Lauer and school health professional Adneris Rosario-Rivera were honored Jan. 10 for their aid last fall to Lillian Barkus, 69, a paraprofessional who assists with special education at Longfellow.
The trio received awards from Lorain police Chief Cel Rivera as part of the Lorain City Schools Town Hall meeting, also held at Longfellow at 305 Louisiana Ave.
In the cafeteria, a capacity crowd offered applause and cheers for all three.
Barkus wants to return to school and is so appreciative of everything that everyone has done, including letters and cards and caring, said her sister, Elba Armstrong, who also is Rivera’s wife.
“I’m so grateful to all of these people who participated in helping to save her life because without them, I wouldn’t have a sister today,” Armstrong said.
Barkus was not present at the Town Hall, but the group heard details from her sister and brother-inlaw.
Another day at school
On Nov. 27, Barkus went to Longfellow like any school day, her sister said.
Barkus often goes home for lunch, but she remained at school that day, despite coming down with a headache.
“It was great that she stayed in school with people that could help her, and the fact that they were trained with the equipment to help her,” Armstrong said. “I have to say that God was with her there to have all these people supporting her, to bring her back.”
When Barkus collapsed in her second-floor classroom, Dickason, Lauer and Rosario-Rivera responded quickly and correctly.
Lauer, who shares the room with Barkus, called the office for help, then went to the hallway to look for assistance.
She found Dickason, whose classroom is next door.
They began CPR as Rosario-Rivera began heading upstairs with a wheelchair, believing someone needed first aid for a fall.
Upon hearing the call for the school’s AED, or automated external defibrillator, she left the wheelchair behind and ran to help.
The three credited the quick response of school security officers Janice Jackson, who called for the AED, and Leo Sanchez, who ran upstairs with the device.
“It was a team effort,” Dickason said.
“Definitely a team effort,” Rosario-Rivera said.
Dickason said he remembered first learning CPR as a sophomore at Southview High School and training with the AED three years ago.
Rosario-Rivera recalled
her work in Reading, Pa., where she once had to revive a student whose heart stopped.
With the AED connected, the group followed the prompts of the device, such as continuing CPR — and administering electric shocks that can revive a regular heartbeat.
“We ended up giving her three zaps,” Rosario-Rivera said.
By the time paramedics arrived, Barkus had a detectable heartbeat and was breathing on her own, the group said.
“So it worked out,” Rosario-Rivera said. “We did a good thing.”
Saving a life
Rivera described the family’s worry when they
heard the news Barkus was at the hospital.
“When we got there, the first couple hours, we were told by the doctor that the only thing they could tell us was that she is still alive, but they didn’t know where it was going to go from there,” Rivera said.
They learned from the doctor about the efforts of Barkus’ coworkers.
“He said that her life was saved by the staff members here, because immediately, they called for help, immediately they started CPR, and then they gave her the AED,” Rivera said.
“He said he’s a Cleveland Clinic-trained cardiologist and that had he been present, it couldn’t have been any better,” Rivera said, prompting applause from
the crowd.
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics are trained to respond to crises and they do wonderful things on the job, he said.
But the medical emergency is not routine at a school without first responders present, Rivera said.
The school had the training for staff and equipment that was maintained and working.
“All that, combined with the teamwork that went into it there and the love and care that she received, you know, it saved her life,” Rivera said.
Based on the experience, the three honorees said they would recommend more first aid training for teachers and AEDs for each floor of the multi-story schools.
More connections
Coincidentally, the three honorees each had connections with Barkus’ family in other ways.
Growing up in Lorain, Dickason was a student at Lorain’s former Lakeview school when Armstrong was principal there.
Armstrong thanked Lauer for regular trips to visit Barkus in the hospital, delivering letters from the students and keeping her apprised of how things are at the school.
“She was very, very pleased with everything you’ve done for her,” Armstrong said.
The Jan. 10 meeting was the first time Barkus’ family members met RosarioRivera, but her last name is a combination of family names for Armstrong and Rivera.
“When I found out what your name was, RosarioRivera, I thought, wow, my maiden name, and Cel’s name,” Armstrong said.
“I’m so grateful to all of these people who participated in helping to save her life because without them, I wouldn’t have a sister today.”
— Elba Armstrong, sister of Lillian Barkus, 69, a paraprofessional at Longfellow Middle School