Sacred Heart Cub Scout earns National Certificate of Merit

Sacred Heart Cub Scout earns National Certificate of Merit
By Karen Wang
 
LIVONIA, Mich. — Jasper Wang, a 10-year-old parishioner at Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Parish in Livonia, Michigan, was awarded the National Certificate of Merit by the Boy Scouts of America.
 
This certificate is a lifesaving award given “in recognition of performance of a significant act of service.”
Wang was nominated by Cub Scout Pack 746 of Novi, Michigan, and recommended for the award by the National Court of Honor.
 
Wang has been providing seizure first aid to his older brother since 2015, but the award was given in recognition of a particular incident that occurred Feb. 16, 2016.
 
Wang was at home with his brother and mother after school, when he and his mother recognized the signs of an epileptic seizure.
 
On his application for the award, Wang wrote: “I heard a choking sound. My brother’s body was stiff and shaking.  He couldn’t breathe.  I got a towel and Mom’s phone. I moved furniture. I got medicine and water, and I made sure he was comfortable.”
 
Karen Wang, the mother of the two boys, explained that she and Wang work together as a team to provide care during medical emergencies.
 
“Usually I support and protect my son’s head and neck, while Jasper retrieves the items that we need. Jasper and I have to time the seizure and monitor vital signs, because my son stops breathing during grand mal seizures. His heart rate and blood pressure rise rapidly, putting him at risk for cardiac problems as well,” she said.
 
“Jasper is always calm and helpful during emergencies, which increases his brother’s chances of a positive outcome,” she continued.
 
“Jasper is already an expert on autism and epilepsy, and he makes many sacrifices for his brother every day. I’m happy that we can celebrate his everyday courage and strength,” she said.
 
Caption: Jasper Wang holds his National Certificate of Merit, awarded to him by the Boy Scouts of America. (Photo courtesy of the Wang Family)
 
As published in Horizons, March 4, 2018.
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