Ashley & Amanda Shepherd: Surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Twin sisters from Birmingham, Alabama, Ashley and Amanda Shepherd share a very special bond – a bond that was nearly shattered by sudden cardiac arrest. They are joining Physio-Control and James Taylor for the Keep the BeatSM campaign to help raise awareness of this killer and increase the likelihood that others will survive.
Two years ago, when the girls were sophomores in high school, Ashley collapsed without warning in the middle of basketball practice. Fortunately, a school trainer dialed 911 and then reached for an automatic external defibrillator (AED) that was only 30 feet away. Knowing that the minutes before paramedics arrive are critical, his actions saved Ashley's life. Ashley later learned that her school obtained the AED only three months prior, following the death of a football player from sudden cardiac arrest.
Neither of the twins had ever experienced health problems, but following the frightening episode, testing revealed they both have a genetic disorder known as Long Q-T Syndrome that affects their hearts. Ashley now has an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), and both girls take medicine to regulate their cardiac system.
Ashley and Amanda Shepherd know they are lucky. Ashley is among only 5 percent of SCA victims who survive, and Amanda now has the awareness and medication to help prevent it. This fall, they will enter the University of Alabama as freshmen where Ashley will pursue a degree in biology and Amanda will study fashion merchandising. But before they leave for school, they will hit the road with the Keep the Beat campaign, visiting cities throughout the country to share their story. They feel strongly that AEDs should be available in all public places, and are committed to doing their part to make this a reality.
Amanda Trevathan: Surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Like most high school students, Amanda Trevathan never thought she would be a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, but a near fatal experience two years ago opened her eyes to an issue that can impact anyone, anytime, anywhere. This summer, she is joining Physio-Control and James Taylor for the Keep the Beat campaign to help raise awareness of this killer and support the implementation of life-saving programs in schools across the country.
A self-professed class clown, Amanda's story begins while she was serving detention during her junior year of high school. As part of her "punishment," she was asked to write an article for the school paper about Ashley Shepherd, a girl from a neighboring Alabama high school who nearly lost her life to sudden cardiac arrest. Following the incident, all schools in the district adopted AED (automatic external defibrillator) programs and the staff received proper training to use these life-saving devices. While writing the article, Amanda admits thinking the programs were a waste of money. How many young people would really fall victim to SCA? Only three months later, in a frighteningly ironic twist of fate, Amanda's outlook forever changed.
While sitting in math class, just one week before her junior prom, Amanda suddenly lost consciousness and slumped over her desk. Panicked, her classmates dialed 911 while a coach from the neighboring classroom began performing CPR. Moments later, the school principal entered the room with the school's new AED and used it to save Amanda's life. She regained consciousness before the paramedics arrived, and was transported to a local hospital where she spent a week recovering and received an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).
Amanda went on to finish her senior year of high school, and is now a sophomore at the University of Montevallo. She knows she is very lucky, as only 5 percent of SCA victims survive. She is also passionate about letting people know that many SCA deaths are preventable through AED programs, particularly in schools.
This summer, Amanda will hit the road with Physio-Control's Keep the Beat campaign to share her personal story and help raise funds to place AEDs in schools across the country. Once skeptical about the need for such programs, she now feels strongly that any precaution that might save a life is worth taking.