I have been reluctant to post publicly about the medical problems I have been having lately for many reasons but I was given A big kick in the pants recently to let it be public information when the local fire chief paid me a personal visit to ask my permission to honor Aidan with a young hero's award. My first reaction was that I just wanted to keep the whole thing to myself. This IS a problem that is going to go away, there WILL be a fix for it and it will NOT be a permanent thing, so I just didn't want to draw attention to it. I had managed to keep the entire thing between my close family, 3 or 4 friends, and my Dr's. An award would mean that people would find out but as a mom I knew that Aidan did an amazing thing, not once but twice, and he deserved the credit. The award would give him a huge ego boost which he has been in need of in a big way lately, and it was a small way to let him know how much I appreciated what he had done for me as well as teaching him that his good actions brought on good recognition, so I agreed.
On December 14th Aidan was beside himself with excitement, but not for the award, because he had no idea that was coming! He was excited because he was going on a school field trip to reward kids who had maintained good grades for the 1st 1/2 of the year to see the chronicles of Narnia at the movie theatre. He had been looking forward to this trip for many weeks, snacks were packed for him and his best friend to share, he woke up early to be sure he didn't forget anything. I love seeing that excitement in him, he had no idea what was in store for him! About 1/2 hour before the movie was over the fire chief himself came and picked Zander and I up to take us to the theatre along with the entire crew of paramedics who answered the 2 calls (most of them were the same.... small town). Just as the last scenes of the movie ended the manager cut the show and turned on the lights, the kids were completely confused as a bunch of firemen took center stage, they then said that one of their classmates had done something amazing and brave and the fire department would like to honor him, would Aidan Clark please join them. You could see the lights come on in Aidan's eyes and he just about jumped over the seats to get to them. He stood up there just beaming as the chief told the story of what Aidan had done. He was one proud boy! Zander and I were invited to join the group at the front before they gave him the award, Aidan hugged me with all his might as I got up there and I had to fight back the tears. I wish I could have recorded the entire thing! Once the firemen were done thanking Aidan for his service and responsibility they dismissed the kids and Aidan was mobbed by kids telling him congratulations, and good job. I was taken aside by a reported from the newspaper who I didn't even know was there who said he had taken pictures and would love to come and do a story on Aidan. Again I was torn!
I am the kind of person who wants to live life blending into the background, A story in the newspaper is not blending! Plus in order to explain the award my personal medical condition would have to be made even more public, like broadcast for the entire community! Yikes!! I gave him my phone number and asked for a few days. In those days I prayed for answers, and I am not the praying type. I know that I felt good about allowing Aidan his glory, so if a good feeling is an answer to a prayer I guess I had my answer but that was just not enough for me yet. I talked to my close friends, my husband, even a lawyer because as i am currently in a custody battle over Aidan I had no idea if something like this could be turned around by an angry ex and used against me. The answers were almost all the same, give Aidan is 5 minutes of fame. I finally agreed to talk to the reporter and allow Aidan to talk to him as well. I had NO IDEA that the picture and story would be at the top of the front page of the local paper! talk about putting it out there!!
Here is the article that was ran in the paper....
Ten-year-old rescues mom twice
On December 14th Aidan was beside himself with excitement, but not for the award, because he had no idea that was coming! He was excited because he was going on a school field trip to reward kids who had maintained good grades for the 1st 1/2 of the year to see the chronicles of Narnia at the movie theatre. He had been looking forward to this trip for many weeks, snacks were packed for him and his best friend to share, he woke up early to be sure he didn't forget anything. I love seeing that excitement in him, he had no idea what was in store for him! About 1/2 hour before the movie was over the fire chief himself came and picked Zander and I up to take us to the theatre along with the entire crew of paramedics who answered the 2 calls (most of them were the same.... small town). Just as the last scenes of the movie ended the manager cut the show and turned on the lights, the kids were completely confused as a bunch of firemen took center stage, they then said that one of their classmates had done something amazing and brave and the fire department would like to honor him, would Aidan Clark please join them. You could see the lights come on in Aidan's eyes and he just about jumped over the seats to get to them. He stood up there just beaming as the chief told the story of what Aidan had done. He was one proud boy! Zander and I were invited to join the group at the front before they gave him the award, Aidan hugged me with all his might as I got up there and I had to fight back the tears. I wish I could have recorded the entire thing! Once the firemen were done thanking Aidan for his service and responsibility they dismissed the kids and Aidan was mobbed by kids telling him congratulations, and good job. I was taken aside by a reported from the newspaper who I didn't even know was there who said he had taken pictures and would love to come and do a story on Aidan. Again I was torn!
I am the kind of person who wants to live life blending into the background, A story in the newspaper is not blending! Plus in order to explain the award my personal medical condition would have to be made even more public, like broadcast for the entire community! Yikes!! I gave him my phone number and asked for a few days. In those days I prayed for answers, and I am not the praying type. I know that I felt good about allowing Aidan his glory, so if a good feeling is an answer to a prayer I guess I had my answer but that was just not enough for me yet. I talked to my close friends, my husband, even a lawyer because as i am currently in a custody battle over Aidan I had no idea if something like this could be turned around by an angry ex and used against me. The answers were almost all the same, give Aidan is 5 minutes of fame. I finally agreed to talk to the reporter and allow Aidan to talk to him as well. I had NO IDEA that the picture and story would be at the top of the front page of the local paper! talk about putting it out there!!
Here is the article that was ran in the paper....
Ten-year-old rescues mom twice
Mike Leiby — The Independent
Blue Ridge Elementary School student, 10-year-old Aiden Clark shows his Award of Merit for heroic actions which saved his mom Jen Staley’s life not once, but twice. Firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department presented the award to Aiden last Tuesday in a surprise visit at the White Mountain Theaters. Aiden was there with other Blue Ridge students watching a movie. Pictured with Aiden are his mom, Jen Staley, and 4-year-old brother Zandar.
Blue Ridge Elementary School student, 10-year-old Aiden Clark shows his Award of Merit for heroic actions which saved his mom Jen Staley’s life not once, but twice. Firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department presented the award to Aiden last Tuesday in a surprise visit at the White Mountain Theaters. Aiden was there with other Blue Ridge students watching a movie. Pictured with Aiden are his mom, Jen Staley, and 4-year-old brother Zandar.
Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010 5:00 am Updated: 10:03 am, Wed Jan 5, 2011.
LAKESIDE — It is uncommon, but not unheard of, to hear about a youngster who calls 911 and ends up being a hero because he saved a life or got emergency crews to a critical scene in time.
Having to do that only once would be scary enough for a youngster of 10 years of age.
But to be able to maintain composure and tell a grandmother not to worry because you know what to do on two separate occasions that saved his mother’s life is not only heroic, but very worthy of at least acknowledgement if not heroic acclaim.
Aiden Clark is a fifth grader in Mrs. Graves class at Blue Ridge. He is the young man who kept his cool when his mom, Jen Staley, went into grand mal seizure not once, but on two separate occasions.
Once was at home and the other was in the car with Aiden, his Mom and his grandmother as they returned home one afternoon from taking supper to a neighbor whose husband was in the hospital.
Aiden was honored for his life-saving calls to 911 dispatchers when firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department surprised him at the Village 8 Theatres in Lakeside last Tuesday at 11:30 in the morning.
Aiden was a little taken aback when the movie theater lights went up and he discovered he was being singled out for recognition.
Like a lot of 10-year-olds, the young hero was at a loss for words, but said he only did what he had learned to do in an emergency and that he never really thought about being a hero until now.
Back to what happened on the two occasions when Aiden made the life-saving calls:
The first seizure Jen ever had was in October as she watched television one evening alone with her mom Danielle.
Aiden was not there for that one.
Jen went into seizure and was taken to the hospital by her mother where she was told it was indeed a grand mal seizure of unknown causes and that it may or may not happen again.
Doctors are still trying to determine what causes the seizures, but have not as yet. Jen says it may stem from an accident years ago in which she was injured.
Anyway, after her first seizure in October, Jen and husband Adam sat down and instructed Aiden on his Mom’s condition, what to look for, and dialing 911 in such emergencies while putting both the number and their home address on the refrigerator door.
On Nov. 19 it happened again when Jen went into a seizure for a second time one afternoon while playing computer games with Aiden and his 4-year-old brother Zandar after school.
Jen said she was alert and talking to Aiden when she suddenly went into seizure with a glass of ice water in her hand.
She spilled the water as she fell to the floor but it was the sound of her hitting the floor that sent Aiden into immediate mom-saving mode.
Aiden said he knew what to do because mom and dad had also posted instructions next to the computer. So after making sure she was still breathing and that it was an actual seizure he called 911 and calmed his younger brother by telling him “everything is going to be fine, mom will be alright.”
Aiden did not relinquish his duties at that point, instead he stayed by mom’s side until an emergency crew arrived and he could be sure she was taken care of.
Then on Dec. 2 as Aiden, his mom and grandmother Danielle returned home from delivering supper to the neighbor whose husband was in the hospital it happened again.
It was Aiden who instinctively sprang into action when he noticed his mom having trouble. He said she actually had a minor seizure at the house when she blacked out but quickly recovered.
Aiden assessed the situation and said to Jen, “Mom, you are not driving home.”
Grandmother Danielle took that duty but on the way home Jen had a second, more powerful full-blown seizure that was truly life-threatening.
Aiden said his mom’s head went back, she stopped breathing and her hand was clenched around Zandar’s throat, choking him.
After Danielle pulled over and Aiden got Jen’s hand away from Zandar’s throat, Aiden jumped out of the car and started running for home to call 911.
About halfway there Danielle caught up to him, he jumped in and as soon as they were home he called for help.
Adults often freeze or cannot find composure in such emergency situations, so for a 10-year-old boy to be able to not only recognize that something is wrong with his mom, but to then stay calm and act instinctively to save her life is nothing short of extraordinary.
Fighting past her tears of pride, Jen said her husband, Adam, has been in the Valley studying law, but will not graduate until August.
With that being the case, Jen said Aiden has taken it upon himself to be the man of the house and “take care of mom” until his dad returns. It would appear that Aiden’s dad can rest just a little easier knowing the family is in the capable hands of his eldest son.
Reach the reporter at mleiby@wmicentral.com
http://www.wmicentral.com/news/latest_news/article_cac7b2d2-1208-11e0-8c69-001cc4c002e0.html
LAKESIDE — It is uncommon, but not unheard of, to hear about a youngster who calls 911 and ends up being a hero because he saved a life or got emergency crews to a critical scene in time.
Having to do that only once would be scary enough for a youngster of 10 years of age.
But to be able to maintain composure and tell a grandmother not to worry because you know what to do on two separate occasions that saved his mother’s life is not only heroic, but very worthy of at least acknowledgement if not heroic acclaim.
Aiden Clark is a fifth grader in Mrs. Graves class at Blue Ridge. He is the young man who kept his cool when his mom, Jen Staley, went into grand mal seizure not once, but on two separate occasions.
Once was at home and the other was in the car with Aiden, his Mom and his grandmother as they returned home one afternoon from taking supper to a neighbor whose husband was in the hospital.
Aiden was honored for his life-saving calls to 911 dispatchers when firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department surprised him at the Village 8 Theatres in Lakeside last Tuesday at 11:30 in the morning.
Aiden was a little taken aback when the movie theater lights went up and he discovered he was being singled out for recognition.
Like a lot of 10-year-olds, the young hero was at a loss for words, but said he only did what he had learned to do in an emergency and that he never really thought about being a hero until now.
Back to what happened on the two occasions when Aiden made the life-saving calls:
The first seizure Jen ever had was in October as she watched television one evening alone with her mom Danielle.
Aiden was not there for that one.
Jen went into seizure and was taken to the hospital by her mother where she was told it was indeed a grand mal seizure of unknown causes and that it may or may not happen again.
Doctors are still trying to determine what causes the seizures, but have not as yet. Jen says it may stem from an accident years ago in which she was injured.
Anyway, after her first seizure in October, Jen and husband Adam sat down and instructed Aiden on his Mom’s condition, what to look for, and dialing 911 in such emergencies while putting both the number and their home address on the refrigerator door.
On Nov. 19 it happened again when Jen went into a seizure for a second time one afternoon while playing computer games with Aiden and his 4-year-old brother Zandar after school.
Jen said she was alert and talking to Aiden when she suddenly went into seizure with a glass of ice water in her hand.
She spilled the water as she fell to the floor but it was the sound of her hitting the floor that sent Aiden into immediate mom-saving mode.
Aiden said he knew what to do because mom and dad had also posted instructions next to the computer. So after making sure she was still breathing and that it was an actual seizure he called 911 and calmed his younger brother by telling him “everything is going to be fine, mom will be alright.”
Aiden did not relinquish his duties at that point, instead he stayed by mom’s side until an emergency crew arrived and he could be sure she was taken care of.
Then on Dec. 2 as Aiden, his mom and grandmother Danielle returned home from delivering supper to the neighbor whose husband was in the hospital it happened again.
It was Aiden who instinctively sprang into action when he noticed his mom having trouble. He said she actually had a minor seizure at the house when she blacked out but quickly recovered.
Aiden assessed the situation and said to Jen, “Mom, you are not driving home.”
Grandmother Danielle took that duty but on the way home Jen had a second, more powerful full-blown seizure that was truly life-threatening.
Aiden said his mom’s head went back, she stopped breathing and her hand was clenched around Zandar’s throat, choking him.
After Danielle pulled over and Aiden got Jen’s hand away from Zandar’s throat, Aiden jumped out of the car and started running for home to call 911.
About halfway there Danielle caught up to him, he jumped in and as soon as they were home he called for help.
Adults often freeze or cannot find composure in such emergency situations, so for a 10-year-old boy to be able to not only recognize that something is wrong with his mom, but to then stay calm and act instinctively to save her life is nothing short of extraordinary.
Fighting past her tears of pride, Jen said her husband, Adam, has been in the Valley studying law, but will not graduate until August.
With that being the case, Jen said Aiden has taken it upon himself to be the man of the house and “take care of mom” until his dad returns. It would appear that Aiden’s dad can rest just a little easier knowing the family is in the capable hands of his eldest son.
Reach the reporter at mleiby@wmicentral.com
http://www.wmicentral.com/news/latest_news/article_cac7b2d2-1208-11e0-8c69-001cc4c002e0.html
So Again, thank you so much Aidan. You are an amazing boy and I am so proud to be your mom. I will always be thank full for your dedication to me and your intelligent and responsible nature. I love you!
