Heroine Allison Wengerd honored by American Red Cross for giving the gift of life to her little sister
Wengerd, a 7th grader at Garaway Middle School and daughter of Melissa and Doran Wengerd of Sugarcreek, had come to be recognized for not only participating in an American Red Cross babysitting course, but for taking the CPR skills she learned in the May 30, 2010 class and using them to save the life of her then two-year-old sister, Mya.
"I took the Red Cross class because I wanted to babysit. I thought it would come in handy sometime if my mom and dad needed to go away. I have two younger brothers, Caleb, 10, and Joshua, 7, my sister Mya, who is adopted, and now we are adopting another little boy from Ethiopia in January," explained Wengerd. "I didn't think I would ever have to use the CPR, but I guess things can happen when you're not expecting them."
In the summer of 2010, the family was swimming at a friend's pool. Two-year old Mya was wearing swim 'floaties'.
"I don't know how we didn't see, but Mya just took off her floaties and jumped into the pool. The owner had turned around, and saw her floating there. He pulled her out, then my dad tried to shake her so she would spit up, but she didn't move. She was just shaking. It was so scary. Then my Dad laid her down on a towel. I said 'I can help. Let me help', so I did CPR while my Dad did the chest compressions."
The pool owner's daughter called for an ambulance, and Allison and her father, Doran, continued to give CPR until more help arrived and transported the toddler to the hospital in a helicopter.
"Mya spit up water, and she started to cry," recalled Allison. "She remembers riding in a helicopter. It happened so fast, I didn't have time to think, let alone be scared. I'm sure I made a mistake or two, since it was the first time I had to use the CPR training, but I tried."
Little Mya, now three, clung to her sister as she shyly recounted her own version of the events of that day.
"I took my floaties off. I went in the swimming pool. My big sister helped me. Then you guys gave me a present," she said softly before burying her head in Allison's shoulder.
"Allison was selected to receive one of the top awards the American Red Cross awards at the national level, the Certificate of Merit for Lifesaving. It was signed by the President of the United States, Barak Obama, and the chairman of the American Red Cross," noted Chad Conrad, the director of the local Red Cross chapter. "She also received a lifesaving medal and pin, and a special Congressional recognition from Congressman Zack Space."
"Thank you for the lifesaving act that you did. We are very proud to present the highest award the Red Cross offers to individuals to you," stated Conrad as he presented Allison with the honor in front of a full room of people, including her family and friends.
"People need to know CPR because you can't say it is not going to happen to you. But it can," said Allison.
"The Red Cross has only given about 12,000 of these awards since the program began six years ago. We are very proud to be able to present this to Allison Wengerd. We hope this encourages other young people to do the same thing, to take that training for CPR and first aid. Then they will have those skills to fall back on if they are ever needed. We offer the babysitting class several times a month throughout the area. To find out about classes, families can call 330-343-8633 or look online at www. mlcredcross.org."
As he smiled across the room at the happy Wengerd family, Conrad added, "Of course, this time of year, during the holiday season, this is a very joyous story."