Cardiac Arrest Survivor Returns to School

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By Laura Kennedy

Story Published: Mar 30, 2011 at 12:26 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 30, 2011 at 7:26 PM MDT

WORDEN - A Huntley Project Middle School student nearly lost his life on March 14th when he went into cardiac arrest during class. Wednesday, his classmates welcomed him back to school in Worden. Brooks Beler and his mother thanked the firefighters, EMTs, and teachers credited with saving him.

Thirteen-year-old Brooks Beler has a genetic disease called Cardiomyopathy. On March 14th, his condition caused him to go into cardiac arrest during class. Mike Capra is a teacher and an EMT with the Worden Fire Department. He and his team were the first responders, and he said it was a rare opportunity to save a life. "We were just in the right place at the right time to make it work," Capra said, "It's unbelievable, it's one of the experiences that you train for and train for and someday it happens."

"I feel great, I'm just glad that our community could come together," Brooks said.

Wednesday, Brooks and his mother Maggie thanked everybody for their help saving Brooks' life. "I'm glad I had a chance to meet them and properly thank them for what they did because without them I probably wouldn't be here today," Brooks said.

The teachers and emergency responders accepted small tokens of appreciation with tears in their eyes. Brooks said his experience gave him a new life philosophy, and it seems to have given him maturity beyond his years. "Don't take it for granted, it could be taken away at any second. So live life to the fullest and take care of yourself," Brooks said.

Maggie Beler said if not for the defibrillator, her son might not have survived. It's her mission, now, to help other schools get the life-saving equipment. Brooks' mother said because of the defibrillator and quick response from firefighters, Brooks will make a complete recovery.

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