“ I can ’ t be more grateful , thankful , and feel blessed she was at the right place at the right time for the Lord to take care of her through those people .”
JOBE MIDDLE SCHOOL COACHES , PARENT USE AED TO SAVE LIFE
Cirye Carpenter is known around Jobe Middle School for her broad smile and warm hugs . She ’ s one of those students whose positive attitude brightens the room when she walks in . But in November , Cirye experienced a life-changing event that had everyone who loves her deeply concerned .
In November , Cirye was running down the basketball court when she began to feel sick . A referee noticed the 14-year old was in trouble and called for help . The coaches immediately stopped the game and grabbed the automated external defibrillator ( AED ). Kari McConnell , a parent nearby watching another game , heard the commotion and ran to the bench to take care of Cirye .
“ I couldn ’ t feel her pulse , but the AED was not telling me to shock because she was answering my questions ,” McConnell said . “ Whatever happened on the court , she was already coming out of it .”
An ambulance took Cirye to the hospital but by the time she got there , any signs of medical distress were gone . Doctors chalked up the episode to fatigue and dehydration , and they sent her home .
Two weeks later , Cirye was back on the basketball court . She motioned she needed to come out of the game because she wasn ’ t feeling well . Coaches spotted McConnell and yelled for her to come quickly because this time , Cirye wasn ’ t responding at all . As a nurse , McConnell knew that whatever happened in the next few minutes could mean the difference between life and death for Cirye .
“ She ’ s in a chair on the sidelines but she ’ s barely there . I ’ m trying to talk with her . She ’ s profusely sweating . She ’ s not talking . Her mouth was turning blue ,” McConnell said .
The coaching staff grabbed the AED again . McConnell moved Ciyre to the floor and administered deep sternal rubs . She couldn ’ t feel a pulse and was trying to get Cirye ’ s heart going . Cirye ’ s parents could only watch and wait for the ambulance to arrive .
“ It was heartbreaking . That ’ s the same way I lost my dad , in the middle of a basketball game , and when he hit the ground , he was gone ,” said Cirye ’ s mom , Lashayvea Carpenter . “ When I saw my baby unconscious and not breathing , I thought I ’ d lost her .”
Kari McConnell said she was just about to start chest compressions when Cirye suddenly took a deep gasp and began coming around . The ambulance arrived seconds later and rushed Cirye to the hospital . Cirye ’ s mom says Jobe ’ s coaches were with them during both trips to the hospital .
“ I can ’ t be more grateful , thankful , and feel blessed she was at the right place at the right time for the Lord to take care of her through those people ,” Carpenter said .
Mansfield ISD coaches are trained in emergencies and how to operate an AED . Jobe ’ s athletic coordinator , Tracy Perez , said she ’ s never had to do it , and she never anticipated having to use one on a child .
Cirye Carpenter with life-saving parent and nurse , Kari McConnell .
“ I can ’ t be more grateful , thankful , and feel blessed she was at the right place at the right time for the Lord to take care of her through those people .”
LASHAYVEA CARPENTER Mother of Cirye Carpenter
16 MANSFIELDTODAY