Teen born prematurely reunites with hero paramedic
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Eighteen years later, and paramedic Chris Mancuso still remembers the youngest patient he's ever had to help.
"He was so premature, and he was so small," Mancuso says.
A 25-week-old baby delivered by his mother in the bathroom of her home.
"She was on the floor, he was still attached to the umbilical cord," Mancuso says, "and he wasn't breathing."
Mancuso and another paramedic did what they knew best. Into the ambulance they went, praying for a good outcome.
"We did CPR on him, we intubated him," Manchuso says.
On the way there, Mancuso was able to stabilize that young baby boy.
Days later, photos taken by Chris Wright's mother show just how little he was. So fragile, in fact, that Mancuso thought often about how he was doing.
Her son, blind but thriving, was getting older, according to his mother who called Mancuso to give an update.
"We spoke about him a lot," Mancuso says.
In his honor, he was named Chris. The boy says his hero helped give him the chance to live.
Just weeks ago, Chris Wright and the paramedic had a reunion 18 years in the making.
"It was pretty emotional to know how far he's come," Mancuso says.
The paramedic and his miracle patient together, celebrating another big milestone: Chris's graduation.
"It's a very interesting feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it," Mancuso says.
Saving a life comes with a lifetime of gratitude, and for that, a long-deserved Foti High Five.
