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On Wednesday, Nov. 16, a large number of students from Sutton, Oxford, Milford and Blackstone-Millville Regional high schools took a day off from school. However, they still learned some important lessons and they taught an important lesson to their elected officials at the same time.
The students were exercising basic rights of our democracy to petition their government to correct a serious public safety issue, and they learned how to respectfully, but effectively, voice their support for legislation currently under review by the Legislature's Committee on Education. They educated all the legislators and legislative staff who they met about the importance of being prepared for health emergencies even among our healthiest student athletes.
The students were friends and teammates of Michael Ellsessar of Sutton and Tyler Symes of Millville, along with the parents of young men, teachers, several other adults and Tyler Symes himself. They came to the State House in Boston to demonstrate their support for Senate Bill 218 which would require all schools to have a medical emergency plan in place and, hopefully, have an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) with some staff trained in CPR.
Michael Ellsessar, 16, a sophomore, died last November while playing in a game at Quaboag Regional High School in Warren. He was a member of the Oxford High junior varsity team that includes students from Sutton, which does not have football. He had just gone out for a pass on the second play of the game when his chest was struck in a collision with an opposing player, causing his heart to stop.
Tyler Symes, 15, a Milford High School hockey player from Millville, was seriously injured in a game against Nipmuc Regional High School. It happened at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough when a puck hit him in the chest, interrupting his heart rhythm, and he dropped to the ice. Fortunately, a nurse travelling with the team called for a defibrillator and emergency crews arrived in minutes to continue CPR. He spent some time in intensive care and rehab, but he survived.
The two events demonstrated to lawmakers how having an effective health emergency plan, with the right equipment and trained responders, can make the difference between unspeakable tragedy and a happy ending.
The student "lobbyists" received assurances from key legislators that the bill will gain approval early in the new year and be placed before Governor Patrick for his signature.
Teachers and administrators, parents and taxpayers in the school districts represented by the students can be very proud of the youth of their communities. They have demonstrated that they can make a real difference that will serve as a fitting memorial to Mike Ellsessar, and their support for the legislation will save countless lives in the future.
Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge)
