(Rowlett) September 29, 2012 – Taking a health sciences course during her sophomore year of high school, Rowlett senior Kristiana Barbosa could only hope that what she learned would one day help save someone’s life. That day came this summer while working at Whataburger. An elderly man began choking on his meal.
“He was waving his hands indicating that he couldn’t breathe,” explained Barbosa. “I got behind him and did the Heimlich maneuver. After that, he said he was okay.”
Barbosa chalks her reaction up to instinct.
“I didn’t want the man to die. I knew that if we called the police and waited, it might be too late.”
An unwitting hero, Barbosa was recognized by the City of Rowlett at a Council meeting on Sept. 4. Mayor Todd Gottel issued a proclamation commending her life-saving actions, and the Chief of Police presented her with a coin.
“I wasn’t expecting all the recognition, but I am proud of myself,” she said. “Not a lot of people know what to do in that situation.”
Giving her confidence in her future career choice, Barbosa aspires to become an emergency medical technician (EMT).
Story submitted by Tiffany Graber, Garland ISD. Photo courtesy of Julieta Chiquillo.
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