Dick Miller, observing the blood seeping through his sweatshirt, acknowledged the looming possibility of his demise in a parking lot off Forman Street the previous week.
Back in time by eleven years, physicians at the Cleveland Clinic presented Miller with an opportunity to prolong his life through the utilization of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
“Most individuals wouldn’t recognize it if they saw me,” remarked Miller, describing his condition. He elaborated on his reliance on blood thinners “due to the presence of an artificial heart. It operates as a continuous pump without a blood pressure.”
Immobility plagues Miller, necessitating the use of an electric wheelchair and a specially adapted van for his daily activities. During a recent outing, he recounted an incident where he encountered a mishap.
“I accidentally spilled something on the ground, and being unable to reach it, I attempted to push it away with my cane. Subsequently, I proceeded to transfer the items towards the edge of my van ramp and leaned down – resulting in a fall from the wheelchair,” Miller shared.
The fall caused him to land on the ramp and the gravel below, inflicting an injury on his arm.
“I tore off a section of skin measuring approximately 2 inches by 5 inches. The skin was completely removed, exposing the tissue beneath,” he described.
“After regaining my composure and overcoming the initial shock, I attempted to reach for my phone. However, the glaring sun hindered my vision, making it impossible to see the phone screen or dial any numbers. That’s when I realized, ‘Uh oh. I’m in serious trouble,’ as I witnessed the blood trickling down,” Miller recounted.
Desperate for assistance, Miller called out for help in the parking lot situated behind the post office and laundromat.
Fortunately, a compassionate bystander, whom Miller couldn’t recall by name, approached him. Miller guided the individual on precisely what to convey to the 911 operator. Meanwhile, his LVAD alarm alerted him to the diminishing flow into his heart.
“I instructed him to fetch a towel from my wheelchair and apply direct pressure, as the blood thinners heightened the risk of bleeding to death,” Miller emphasized. “He adhered to the instructions, and soon the firefighters arrived.”
“Most individuals… if I had met with an accident on the highway between here and Cleveland, most wouldn’t comprehend what an LVAD is. However, these responders did,” Miller praised the Bradford City Fire Department team.
He commended Firefighter/Paramedic Evan Piganelli, part-time Firefighter Austin Coleman, and student Chase Burdick for their prompt and adept response, highlighting their familiarity with handling an LVAD and the importance of not lifting him under the arms or around the chest.
“I was fortunate that they were present. There’s no question about it. I would have perished in that parking lot, without a doubt,” Miller expressed.
A longstanding figure at Bradford Area High School, Miller expressed his deep connections within the Bradford community, having witnessed generations grow up over the years.
“I’ve always had faith in Bradford. The majority of our residents are inherently good and act out of moral obligation. In any other locality, the level of assistance wouldn’t have been as substantial,” Miller remarked, expressing his desire to identify the individual who made the life-saving 911 call to personally extend his gratitude.
Reflecting further, Miller lauded the exceptional qualities of the Bradford City Fire Department, emphasizing their versatility, professionalism, and up-to-date training in handling diverse emergency situations.
“Most communities lack a fire department like ours. They possess the skills to transition seamlessly from providing medical aid as EMTs to combating fires. Their proficiency, preparedness, and dedication are truly a boon to our community. It’s a blessing that we should be grateful for,” Miller concluded.