Disney lifesaver

We were on vacation in Disney World, waiting in line for the Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster at Epcot. A man came yelling, “I need a nurse now!” I went running. His five-year old child was VSA [vital signs absent] with agonal gasping. He had lost a pulse on the ride and the parents had to complete the ride knowing this. We weren’t told until after the fact, but his mom had started CPR and Disney staff had used a defibrillator.  

When I arrived, the child was on the floor, Disney staff were yelling, “he needs CPR,” and the mom was off to the side. Another lady was holding his head. The child looked like a wax figure. I yelled to the dad to grab my firefighter husband Terry and started my quick assessment. There was no PPE, but I began respirations and Terry started compressions. We eventually got a heart rate back, but he wasn’t breathing, so I continued until the paramedics arrived.  

Thankfully, I had renewed my CPR just a week before. I have done CPR on many adults and infants, but never on a child. Terry had done CPR on hundreds of adults, but this was his first child too.  

For days, we didn’t know what happened. To be honest, we were scared to know. We shed a lot of tears and lost a lot of sleep.  

But a few days later we found out from Disney guest services that he was alive! We were relieved but terrified that he might have some deficits. A few days after that, my coworker saw that the family was looking for us on a Disney Facebook page. She connected us and we have been in touch ever since!  

The little boy’s name is Ernesto. He was diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. He had surgery to implant a defibrillator and is back to living his best life. He is now six years old. He plays baseball and is a sweet and active kid. Our hearts are happy every time we see his picture or hear from his family.  

We were truly in the right place at the right time. 

• By Melissa Peters