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Bruce Bailey saluted for medical help which saved a young football player
On the night of September 29, Bruce was a volunteer, as he has been for the last 20 years, with the EMS at the football game between Washington-Wilkes and Banks County. The game was in Banks County. On the very first play of the game, Kristopher Hellmeister, a young Banks County player, appeared to be injured. He told his coach that he couldn't see very well and he was allowed to sit on the bench where he subsequently had a seizure. The Banks County medics worked with him on the sidelines for about 20 minutes but could not make any progress. Announcement was made that the service of a doctor or medical person was needed. Bruce responded and immediately realized that the situation was critical. The Banks County people had not been able to get an IV into Kristopher's arm. Bruce put one in one arm and the boy began posturing which indicated that his condition was critical. He got the IV in the other arm and then called for the medical helicopter from Egleston Hospital in Atlanta. By the time the helicopter arrived, Kristopher was having trouble breathing. In the helicopter was Brad Tucker, another Wilkes County paramedic who had worked with Bruce on other emergencies. At Egleston Kristopher had surgery which required the removal of part of his skull and a shunt to be put into place. The part of his skull that was removed is sewn into his abdomen where his own body will keep it alive until surgery on November 21 when the shunt will be removed and his skull re-attached. Kristopher has made an amazing recovery as he has defied all odds first by surviving but also by making a complete recovery. In fact, it's so amazing that the American Medical Association is writing an article to be published in the AMA Journal about his survival. Bruce is credited with saving Kristopher's life by his family and the Banks County medical team. Kristopher's mother, Elizabeth Walker, is a nurse at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and he has four siblings, Katie, Brittany, Keifer (his twin), and Tyler. One month after the young player's ordeal, Bruce and his wife Tina, and daughter, Amanda Hendry, were invited by Mrs. Walker to attend a worship service at the Homer United Methodist Church, October 29, which was Kristopher's first Sunday back at church. At the end of the service, the pastor, Rev. McClendon, announced that the man who had saved Kristopher's life was in the congregation and called the family and Bruce to the front. Mrs. Walker told about the events of September 29 as Kristopher wept and embraced Bruce. Kristopher's recovery has been a true miracle and his family had great things to say about Washington- Wilkes and the love and prayers the community has shown them. His family and the medical crew credit Bruce with saving Kristopher's life because of his quick, prompt, and professional response and the continued care given by the flight crew. Kristopher wears a helmet all the time because of the shunt. He presented Bruce and Tina two pictures of himself - one in his football uni- form prior to his injury and one recently made with his helmet. On the back of the pictures, there is this inscription: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9. "On September 29, 2006, God led you to me. Thank you for being there. Thank you for coming into my life." It's signed, Kristopher Hellmeister. The Bailey family plans to maintain their relationship with Kristopher and his family and will continue to monitor his progress.
In Tiger Stadium last Friday night, before the game began, Bruce and Tina were called to the field where announcement was made about the things which transpired that night and that he is credited with saving the player's life. He received a standing ovation from the spectators in the stands.
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