Park Center Teen’s CPR Lessons Help Save Dad’s Life
Park Center High School student Lindsay Lee is crediting a middle school health class for helping her save a loved one.
Seventh-grade health education teacher Juli Bombalier has been teaching at Brooklyn Middle School for years.
“I always tell my students there’s no wrong in health because health is your life. We want to do it right the first time,” said Bombalier.
Those are the inspiring words that 17-year-old Lindsay Lee will never forget. Lindsay, now a junior at Park Center High School, took Bombalier’s health class about four years ago.
Through Bombalier’s class, about 20,000 students have taken CPR including Lindsay. The hope is that students will never have to use it, but last summer, those CPR skills came in use.
“I never thought that there’d be a day I’d have to use it and it was on my own family member too,” Lindsay said.
Rescuing Her Dad
Last summer, Lindsay was at the right place at the right time. She said if it weren’t for quarantine, nobody would have been home to help her father. At first the teen wasn’t sure if her dad was having a heart attack or a seizure. But she knew one thing for sure, that she had to do something.
Lindsay began performing chest compression while her sister called 911.
“My mom was with me and I told her to hold my dad’s head up, so he wouldn’t choke on his tongue. My mom did the mouth to mouth part too,” she said.
Dispatchers on the phone also aided Lindsay during CPR. When EMT reached the house, they also had a hard time reviving Lindsay’s dad. Eventually her dad survived what turned out to be a heart attack.
The Lee family.
Healthier Lifestyle
Lindsay said her dad is getting stronger each day. The eye-opening event brought the family closer. The family also committed to a joint effort for a healthier lifestyle.
“We have adapted our eating habits and getting more exercise,” said Lindsay.
The high school student said she’ll forever appreciate the life saving skills she learned in middle school.
“The CPR unit, it’s very important for kids to learn. Without it, I don’t know if my dad would be here today,” Lindsay said.
More About Lindsay
Aside from saving her dad, Lindsay is a star student athlete, who is currently the captain of the varsity volleyball team at Park Center.
Lindsay has won many school and district level academic awards. The 17-year-old is not only currently taking full-time college classes but she has a talent in dancing and singing.
Lindsay was also invited to and participated in the celebration of the Special Guerilla Units Bill in MN in 2018.
With many students needing extra help during the pandemic, Lindsay and her sisters started a free tutoring and homework help program. They tutor several students from the Osseo School District and a few others from other districts on a weekly basis.
Park Center Senior High School
