
Portable AED for college
Donation protected
At four days old I was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect known as Long QT Syndrome. This condition causes my ventricles to be delayed in recovering from beating. This puts me at a significant risk for cardiac arrest which can cause death.
My K-12 education experience was wonderful in the Kettering, OH school system. Every nurse, teacher, and staff member was willing to cooperate with my needs. The school system as a whole actively installed permanent AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) as I transitioned from building to building.
My first year out of high school I lived at home and attended Sinclair Community College. Now in my second year of college I will be attending the Ohio State University. I have signed up to live on campus and, although I have met with disability services and described my needs to them, they have informed me that they are unable to provide me with what I need. My request was to have an AED available on my dorm floor in case of an emergency. What I learned is that on OSU campus there are no AEDs available in any dorms and very few available in any other buildings.
My family and I are very concerned with this and I plan on taking steps to change this scenario once I am attending school. In the meantime it is in my best interest to have an AED with me as I live in a new place for the first time in my life away from my parents and the same life I have known for 19 years. I will be living with and around people who do not fully understand the seriousness of my condition. One of the main triggers for cardiac arrest with Long QT is stressful situations. Having an AED with me as I begin this stressful part of my life will act as a safety net and a sense of security for both my loved ones and me.
My K-12 education experience was wonderful in the Kettering, OH school system. Every nurse, teacher, and staff member was willing to cooperate with my needs. The school system as a whole actively installed permanent AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) as I transitioned from building to building.
My first year out of high school I lived at home and attended Sinclair Community College. Now in my second year of college I will be attending the Ohio State University. I have signed up to live on campus and, although I have met with disability services and described my needs to them, they have informed me that they are unable to provide me with what I need. My request was to have an AED available on my dorm floor in case of an emergency. What I learned is that on OSU campus there are no AEDs available in any dorms and very few available in any other buildings.
My family and I are very concerned with this and I plan on taking steps to change this scenario once I am attending school. In the meantime it is in my best interest to have an AED with me as I live in a new place for the first time in my life away from my parents and the same life I have known for 19 years. I will be living with and around people who do not fully understand the seriousness of my condition. One of the main triggers for cardiac arrest with Long QT is stressful situations. Having an AED with me as I begin this stressful part of my life will act as a safety net and a sense of security for both my loved ones and me.
Organizer
Sarah Skinner
Organizer
Dayton, OH