MY STORY
In May of 2008,while working for a prestigious hospital in Hollywood, FL - my dream, my vision came to light. After discussing it with the one person I knew who would give me her opinion, her blessing and her love - my mother, she said, “if this is your dream and your vision to step out on faith and start your own CPR company and if God said to you that it’s your time - then, now is your season Bon".
Excited, I went into full action mode. I started preparing the business plan. I took the courses needed for my business, ordering the equipment necessary and playing around with a few potential names. Life happened during several months after May - health scares, birthdays and even baby showers…
And then, tragedy struck on early morning October 4, 2008! I got the worst phone call any daughter could receive. Feeling alone and without any family, I was told that my mother was having either a heart attack or a stroke. I sat down calmly looking at the ocean while others were screaming on their end - they were scared, confused and were misled… things became chaotic as fear took over.
With anxiety building, I eagerly told them that no matter who was talking to them in the background, and regardless of what they thought my mother was having, to give her CPR. In many cases, such as this, panic and fear and misled judgment can play such a confusing role in the administering of CPR. That was 14 years ago,and I remain haunted about what could have been. For the record, at that time my mother was having a Heart Attack, and from there she went into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and for this very reason, becoming an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Instructor became very personal to me.
It is important to me to help “save lives”… to educate those who doesn't know the difference between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest or even a Stroke… to educate them on the steps necessary to prevent one of these from even occurring early on, or to recognize the signs when someone needs high-quality cardiovascular resuscitation (CPR).
American Heart Association National Center Statistics indicate that 70%-80% cardiac arrest cases occur in the home or at a public place. Because of confusion, panic and fear and because of the lack of knowledge, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) training can "save lives”.
In my studies, I’ve also learned that approximately 92% of those who experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) do not survive. SCA kills more than 1,000 people a day or one person every 90 seconds, more than the number of deaths each from breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke or AIDS. *AHA Stats & Facts
I want to make a difference in my passion- in my vision based on “saving lives” … letting my friends, students, participants, family (both children and adults) know about the importance of high-quality cardiovascular resuscitation (CPR); and the more equipped they are, the more people will be touched by it; which in turn, the more lives can be saved. I also want them to know that CPR was developed to help increase their chances of survival and at anytime, at any moment that they too, can “give life another day” or help those who don’t know how to help those who can’t help themselves… to give hope and promise for a better tomorrow… knowing that I made a difference in my purpose to instill the tools that they need so they can pass it on to their loved ones, friends, neighbors or even a stranger.
Throughout my life, I’ve developed great faith in God. I truly believe He has positioned me for a reason… maybe to broaden the scope of work… I don’t know how God is going to use me and what He has for me as only God knows that… all I can do is try to fulfill the vision He gave to me and let Him bless it. We all have a purpose… we all go thru something so that God can reveal what we are called to do, or place us where we need to be so that we can be an inspiration to someone else. The bible says, “For many are called but few are chosen” … I am listening and I am responding. If I start it, He will bless it… I am committed to this… this is my testimony and it will be manifested because God endorses it!
I remember I had a heavenly visitation and she said, “stop weeping and give Him something to bless and be GLAD in it” … Bon, “give life another day”… we all know that God starts with someone… why not with me?
Am I dedicated? Absolutely! This is where my heart lies. This is my dream, my desire and my chance to give back and to help others “save a life”… to encourage you, hoping in turn that you can encourage others to help make a difference.
So, in closing: yes, I’ve had to mourn the death of loved ones both family and friends due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) -this silent and most vicious killer that takes place every two minutes.
Why do I do what I do? Because “life matters”… “love ones matter”… American Heart Association (AHA) states that “life is why”. A simple yet powerful answer to the question on why we should all be healthy in heart and mind… it also explains why I do what I do… Life saving work… Every day!
What do you say? What brings you joy? Why is cardiovascular care important to you?
I am so committed to this… again; this is my vision, my testimony and my blessing!
always, God First, Bo'
This is dedicated to my Mother from her “Seven Heavens”