Letter to the Newbury Fire Department

From Megan

There really are Angels on Earth

by Meghan Leigh Age 4, Concord, New Hampshire

Story written through the eyes of her mom

When I woke up Sunday, July 27, 2003, I didn’t remember a thing that happened the night before. I could tell by the look on their faces that my mom, dad and big brother remembered. That Sunday morning, I woke up like a normal four year old little girl who insisted on having a blue ice pop for breakfast. Mom didn’t argue.

My mom, however, secretly told dad and big brother not to talk about the seizure I had the night before, or the angel who saved me on her neighbors dock, or the ambulance ride where dad and Ryan rode in the front and mommy sat by me; watching, waiting for me to come too or Emergency Room at the New London Hospital.

Let me start from the beginning. About three weeks ago, my dad surprised my mom by purchasing a new Sea Ray boat for her 38th birthday. It was our second day out on our new boat that started late in the afternoon Saturday, July 26.

Dad decided to take us to Lake Sunapee for an evening ride. Mom noticed I was feeling very tired and I was hot with fever. Mom held me as dad drove back toward the boat launch which was still quite a distance away. Next thing mom realized that I was no longer responding to her as she repeated said my name. “ Meghan, Meghan, Meghan, she said. I was not there. I was having a seizure.

Quickly, my dad pulled up to the first dock where he saw people relaxing. We called to them and ask for help. “Call 911,” my dad yelled. By this time my brother Ryan was extremely frightened for my safety and he cried my name, “Meggie? Mom, does she have to go to the hospital?” but I did not hear him.

Tanya Wilkie, RN/BSN saved my life that night. Tanya Wilkie is my newest angel. You see, my dad pulled into the first available dock and immediate medical assistance was given to me. If circumstances were any different, I may not have made it through the first couple of minutes. The response team was there to pick me up within minutes. Oxygen was given to me because I could not breathe on my own very well. Once at the New London Hospital, I was treated quickly in the ER, observed and cared for by the most dedicate staff.

My story is one of many young and old who may someday need the ER at the New London Hospital. I have febrile seizures. I have had them before. I have had other angels rescue me before in my young life. That’s me, but what about all of the other people who need care at any given time?

My mom, my dad, my big brother and me would like to thank Tanya Wilkie, the Newbury Fast Squad, NLH ER staff, and the others who helped us at the dock that evening.

Because I am a child who has special medical conditions, I can tell you how important it was for me to have the immediate medical services available. They saved my life, they really did.

With Sincere Thanks, Gratitude and Love...

Mary, Daren, Ryan & Meghan