Illinois doctor's quick thinking saves teen's life at Disney World
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW LENOX, Ill. (WGN) An Illinois doctor saved a young woman’s life while on vacation at Disney World with his family.

Dr. Jeffrey Schiappa, a family medicine physician with Premier Suburban Medical Group in Orland Park, said he and his family were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park when he noticed a group of young girls sitting on a park bench crying, according to a news release.

“Then I saw a young woman on the ground, not moving. I checked her pulse, and it was irregular. We found an AED; Disney has them everywhere,” he said. “I had never used one before, but the device walks you through it. I shocked her once, her body jumped, but nothing happened. The device told me to shock her again, and this time she started moving, but didn’t wake up.”

As paramedics arrived, Schiappa’s son Joe learned the girls were on a band trip from Pennsylvania. The trip leader got in touch with the girl’s parents, who claimed she was not on any prescription medication or had any other conditions they were aware of.

“I later heard that she coded twice more in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and then again at the hospital,” Schiappa said.

(Photo: Silver Cross Hospital)

That girl, age 17, was later diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder that causes fast, chaotic heartbeats, according to medical professionals. LQTS affects the electrical signals that travel through the heart and cause it to beat.

Those irregular heartbeats can be life-threatening.

Schiappa said he found out the doctors at the hospital implanted a pacemaker inside the girl.

“I understand she’s now doing very well. I heard from the parents and they were very grateful…they sent me a nice note,” Schiappa said. “If this had happened when she was away at college after graduation, she could have died. The same could have happened if I hadn’t noticed the crowd around her. I’m so thankful.”

Schiappa and his family enjoyed the rest of their Disney vacation, but he said the incident remains with him.

“What we did was successful, thank God,” Schiappa said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Amish Woman Accused of Murder in Deaths of Her Husband and Young Son

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio (WJW) — An Amish woman is facing charges of…

U.S. Accuses China of Using Three Private Firms to Breach Global Telecom Networks

Three private Chinese firms have allegedly facilitated China in executing one of…

Father Describes School Shooting Survivor as ‘Traumatized’ and ‘Overwhelmed with Fear’

A young girl who lived through the school shooting at a Minneapolis…

Unanswered Questions Linger Following IDF Strike That Kills Journalists in Gaza

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Tracking Two Areas for Possible Tropical Activity in Early September

ORLANDO, Fla. – The peak of hurricane season is drawing near, as…

Washington County Resident Sentenced for Hate Crime Assault on Mail Carrier

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. – A resident of Washington County was handed a…

“‘It’s never too late:’ Ocoee mom enters major bodybuilding competition after losing 185 pounds”

OCOEE, Fla. – A mother from Ocoee, working night shifts as an…

Pritzker Refutes Trump’s Crime Claims, Asserts National Guard Unnecessary During Chicago Visit

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois is reinforcing his stance against…

Florida schedules 11th execution this year: Man to be executed for triple homicide

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A man on death row for the murders…

Visitor Spending in Northeast Tennessee Breaks Records for Fourth Consecutive Year

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) has unveiled the economic impact…

Texas Passes MAHA Bills with RFK Jr. and Governor Abbott at the Signing Ceremony

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas recently became the latest to implement public health…

Tennessee Woman Accused of Making Death Threats Against Senator Marsha Blackburn

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Murfreesboro, Tennessee woman has been charged after…