Boy shot in heart reunited with rescuers who saved his life
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Six months after a horrifying pellet gun accident where a little boy was shot in the heart, he and his family reunited with the first responders who saved his life.
Braden Heckendorn, 8, effectively died December 28, 2013 when a pellet gun accidentally went off and struck him in his heart. His grandmother called 911 and his aunt started CPR until paramedics arrived. Harris County Emergency Corps (HCEC) and Little York Fire Department arrived and before the medics left for the hospital, they were able to restart Braden's heart and regain breathing.
Braden was taken to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital downtown, where surgeons fixed the hole in his heart. Because of his lack of oxygen, Braden suffered a stroke, seizures and brain swelling. Since then, he has exceeded expectations by hitting major milestones like speaking sentences in only four months.
While recounting the experience that day, Braden's grandmother Karen Ballard told HCED dispatcher Pat Barney, "You were my hero, because you kept me calm even though you weren't driving the ambulance."
Braden's mother Kristy Heckendorn, with tears in her eyes, said to the medics, "Thank you for not giving up."
While some of memories are somewhat of a blur, other family members remember the medics saying to Braden, "C'mon buddy, you got this. [The medics] were talking to him the whole time."
Paramedic Ryan O'Daniel explained that a scenario like this generally has a four percent survival rate, and told Braden's family, "It's an honor and privilege to have been there for y'all and to be able to see something as miraculous as this."
Braden Heckendorn showed off his walking abilities with the help of his dad, gave high fives and beamed with smiles during their time together with the crews.
Jeremy Hyde, CEO of HCEC, said, "We truly have some of the best medics in the nation and I am proud of their dedication to providing progressive medicine while making a difference in people's lives."
