Normally I would post a New Year goal list, or resolutions, but this year I will tell you how 1-1-11 started for us.
We made plans with my mom and brother to visit the New England Aquarium and to see some of the ice sculptures from First Night in Boston.
We had a fun couple of hours, but the kids were getting cranky and we had gone through the aquarium and decided to get something to eat. We were finishing up lunch, when Keira stuck an entire pretzel down her throat. At first I thought she was sucking on her fingers, but then I saw the panic in her eyesand shortle after her face turned blue and purple.
I jumped up and immediately did a finger sweep, something I have had to do a few times, as most parents have. This wasn't working. I stood up with her an told my mom to get help. Keira began to cry a bit, which is always a good sign, and my mom acknowledged that she was crying, however the cries quickly stopped and the blue/purple color returned. I started the Heimlich maneuver, saying I needed help, and meeting the eyes of all the families in the crowded Aquarium cafeteria, but no one was helping. No one was making an attempt to even get up from their seats and get help. All I could think was that my daughter was going to die here in a crowded cafeteria and no one was helping me, or even trying to. It was maddening, it is still maddening to me! How can parents just sit back and witness something like this. After what seemed like my 15th try to dislodge the pretzel, a young girl in maybe her early twenties came over, rubbing my back, asking if everything was okay. I could see blood in Keira's mouth and told her I didn't know if I got it out. She calmly did a finger sweep of her own and said I did in fact dislodge it, and she was crying now, so she was okay. I asked her why there was blood (immediately thinking I scratched her esophagus) and she said it was a scratch above her tooth. She rubbed her back and mine, saying how scary it was, and making sure we were okay.
This one girl, who was not there with children was the lone person who stepped up to help. I was baffled, and still am (which is why I had to blog about this in such detail) at the lack of support. I understand that in this day and age people are afraid of being sued if something went wrong, but for God's sake get up and grab an Aquarium worker! Get help! My twelve year old brother had 911 dialed into his phone and had his finger on send. My mom was keeping the kids in control while going back and forth because Keira would cry for a split second, the stop again.
I know you would have to be in this kind of situation to know what you would really do, but this is a no brain-er for me. I have been there already with children and choking, or getting injured, and I know how fast things can take a turn for the worst, and I know that the safest and smartest thing is to just get help. Even if they didn't come to me, even if someone went to a worker and said get help. Think of the precious seconds lost if I couldn't get that pretzel out. Actually I don't even want to think about that.
Bottom line, Keira is okay. I was scared to death today. One lone girl from across the cafeteria helped, and she is a hero today for simply getting out of her chair.
To the parents who stared and did nothing, shame on you. I hope when you are faced with a situation like this, those around you have gentler hearts and more loving spirits.
Happy New Year.
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