She saved my life. She is my hero.”
Dennis Adams was leaving a JTA football game at Allan Trimble Stadium when he fainted and hit his head on the curb. The impact severed an artery, and blood began pouring out of a large cut on the back of his skull. Thankfully for Dennis, a hero happened to be close by.
Chelsea Franklin, school nurse at Jenks West Elementary, ran to Dennis’ side and immediately applied and held pressure on the wound. She made sure 911 was called and stayed with Dennis to slow the loss of blood until paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital.
Doctors stitched together the artery and put staples in his scalp to close the laceration. Before he was even released from the hospital three days later, Dennis, a Jenks grad (Class of 1970), was already thinking about Chelsea and making sure everyone knew how grateful he was for her life-saving actions.
“She went above and beyond what she was required to do, and it means the world to me that somebody would stop and attend to a stranger the way she did. She stayed calm, she kept my family updated, and I may not be here today if it wasn’t for her.”
This morning, Dennis and his daughters arrived at West Elementary to surprise Chelsea as she was presented with the Jenks Public Schools “Excellence in Safety” Award. They had spoken briefly on the phone when Dennis was in the hospital, but today, they were able to share tearful hugs as Dennis expressed his gratitude in person.
“I think as a nurse, your training just kicks in when you see a need like that. I didn’t really think. I started doing what I needed to do for him, and I’m just so happy I could help. I know it could have turned out differently, but I’m glad I was in the right place at the right time. It’s so special to see him today, and I hope he has many more years in front of him.”
Chelsea was acting on her calling to take care of people, no matter the age or circumstance. For Dennis, her extraordinary act of kindness was a priceless gift he will never forget.
“She literally saved my life. I will always be grateful.”
