Jean Smyth
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| Jean Smyth (St. Peters, MO) received the highest honor from the American National Red Cross, the Certificate of Merit. Since 1911, the Certificate of Merit has been awarded to individuals who helped save or sustain a life through skills learned from the American Red Cross. It is signed by President Barack Obama and the Chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors. Locally, through the Red Cross Lifesaver Awards, sponsored by AAA, the Red Cross has celebrated more than 400 local citizens who were able to save a life thanks to their training. Pictured from left to right: Jeff Bont (Manager, AAA), Bob Smyth (Jean’s husband), Jean Smyth (Volunteer, American Red Cross), and Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross). |
Jean Smyth is a familiar face at the Red Cross. She most often helps out the St. Charles County Service Center, doing some of everything! Jean responds to local house fires, educates the community on how to prepare for disasters, and even teaches CPR and First Aid herself. But even during the hundreds of times she has helped others, she didn’t realize she would one day use that training to help save her husband’s life.
Last December, Jean and Bob were both at home, and Bob was getting ready for work. He called out for Jean, because he said his leg was “giving out.”
Jean ran to the bathroom and her stomach sank. Immediately looking at Bob, she knew something was wrong. Jean started using a technique she had taught many times before in First Aid classes, called the “FAST” test: The letters F-A-S-T each stand for the four signs of a stroke.
F – She checked his Face by asking him to smile and saw the left side of his mouth wouldn’t curl upward.
A – Jean asked Bob to raise his Arms, and saw he couldn’t lift his left arm as high as his right.
S – Jean checked Bob’s Speech by asking him the date; and his words were slurred.
T – Finally, Jean noted the Time, which was 6:55 am, and called 911.
Bob asked Jean if he was having a heart attack; and Jean stayed calm as she told him, “No honey, you are having a stroke.”
Bob’s condition deteriorated while on the way to the hospital. By the time they arrived in the ambulance, his entire left side was paralyzed.
Fortunately, because Bob got to the hospital quickly, doctors were able to give him a drug called TPA. It’s a potent treatment for stroke victims, but it is only effective if it is given within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Most people who could benefit from this and other powerful treatments wait too long to call for help, and end up missing the time window for treatment.
Jean says it was her Red Cross training – the same training she had taught others many times over – that allowed her to remain calm and cool. And because Jean stayed calm, it helped Bob stay calm as well.
Bob’s doctors said it was Jean’s quick action and knowledge of how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke that likely saved Bob’s life.
Not only did Bob survive – but he has since made a full recovery. He says had Jean not been around, he likely would have simply gone to bed to “sleep off” the pain, and would not have received the TPA drug.
In May, Jean received the local Lifesaver Award. Now we are proud to present her with the highest Red Cross honor – the National Certificate of Merit. It is signed by President Obama and the Chair of the American Red Cross Board of Governors.