September 15 is the anniversary of our son, Matt Nader’s SCA. It’s a day I will never forget. Frankly, it’s one I still remember every day. And we have celebrated his second “birthday” for ten years now, because there was a defibrillator on his team’s sideline that day and we were prepared. While his dad and I were busy doing CPR, another teammate’s dad called for it and got it ready to use. Four years prior, it had been donated anonymously to the team, and was always charged and present at every game. We were all prepared to do what was needed to save my son’s life.
Many assumed Matt’s “save” was because we were doctors. Since then Matt has spoken to many groups about the fact that it was not just because we are docs. Trust me. Medical school does not prepare you to do CPR on your own child. Any of us can be prepared to administer CPR and use a defibrillator. All that is needed is the knowledge to do so and the willingness to make it happen.
Recognize SCA (feel for a pulse). Call 911. Start CPR. Use the defibrillator once one is available.
We continue to remind folks to learn CPR. It’s not that hard anymore. You don’t have to take that 8-hour certifying course. The American Heart Association has the CPR Anytime kit. Please order it, and in 30 minutes you can be as prepared as my husband and I were to do CPR on our son. Know where AEDs are in the schools and public places you frequent. Be prepared to ask for them and don’t hesitate to use them. I knew as they placed the pads on my son’s chest, that only if he was in ventricular fibrillation would that defibrillator shock him. Sadly…and fortunately…that’s exactly what it did, confirming my worst fear, while at the same time saving my son’s life.
Today Matt is healthy! Although he was unable to fulfill his commitment to play football for The University of Texas, Mack Brown called him the day after his cardiac arrest to assure him that when he committed to the Longhorns, they committed to him, and he pledged to honor Matt’s scholarship! Matt graduated from The University of Texas in 2011, and upon graduating he was hired by St. Jude Medical, and has worked for them as a Medical Device Sales Representative ever since. After all, he has one of their defibrillators in his chest! This fall he started graduate school in the UT McCombs School of Business Executive MBA program.
Matt has remained active in the promotion of SCA awareness, CPR preparedness, and cardiac screening initiatives through organizations such as the American Heart Association, Championship Hearts Foundation and Parent Heart Watch.
Matt’s Mom Barbara
Beautiful
I rremember meeting Matt and believing that he was a miracle! You meet this young healthy kid who experienced cardiac death and was revived by a defibulator. His parents started the compressions until the AED was brought over. It was a miracle that Matt was saved but it it was supposed to happen! I don’t know how Barb could talk about it! We were giving testimony in front of the Texas Athletic Committee to to get AEDs required for all games. No AED No Practice.No Game
This is a great family!!
Barbara
What an amazing story! Matt and I are the same age and I had my sudden cardiac arrest on August 24, 2006 (seems like only a couple of weeks before Matt). Thanks for sharing his story. I was a basketball player before my arrest. I have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Thanks!
Mike Papale
Dear Barbra,
Thank you for sharing such an amazing story! Matt sounds like an amazing person. Being a SCA survivor; I am glad to hear that Matt is involved with SCA awareness, CPR preparedness, and cardiac screening initiatives. Additionally; the post is titled “Matt’s Mom Celebrates His Re-Birth Day”; I wonder if you guys celebrate his SCA date as his birthday? I ask, since I consider my birthday to be the day I had my SCA.
-Mike