Melissa, a dedicated nurse at Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) for 24 years, has spent her entire career in a place she truly loves. She takes pride in her role and the impact she makes every day. Her skills were unexpectedly put to the test during a trip in September to her favourite place, Disney World in Florida.
While waiting in line with her husband Terry, a firefighter with the City of Mississauga, for a ride in the theme park, a man suddenly came running, desperately calling for a nurse. Melissa rushed to help. A five-year-old boy on the ride was unresponsive, and his mother had already started CPR while Disney staff located a defibrillator.
"When I arrived moments later, I saw the mother, panic on her face, and a Disney employee urgently shouting for CPR. My husband and I knew we had to act quickly. We teamed up and jumped into action, doing everything we could to save that little boy," said Melissa.
In the days that followed, both Melissa and Terry were filled with anxiety. They were shaken and terrified, unsure of the boy’s fate. "In our professional lives, we’re trained to handle emergencies, but this was different. We were far from a hospital and lacked the familiar medical equipment and protective gear. It was a reminder of how crucial every moment is in a crisis,” she said.
Days later, a co-worker of Melissa’s spotted a post in a Disney Facebook group where the boy’s family was seeking to connect with the individuals who had helped their son. They connected, and learned – to their great relief – that the boy, Ernesto, was doing well.
"The news was heartening. The little boy had a significant cardiac disorder and now had an implanted defibrillator. Miraculously, he had no neurological deficits—a rare and fortunate outcome that brought us immense relief," she said.
Melissa’s experience underscored the importance of CPR training for everyone and highlighted the need for accessible defibrillators in public spaces. “By ensuring more people are CPR certified and advocating for public access to AEDs, they can help improve safety in their community,” she said.
JBH is proud of Melissa and Terry, whose quick action and medical skills were critical in saving Ernesto’s life. It is an extraordinary example of the dedication of our staff and physicians to saving lives and providing excellent care. Thank you Melissa!