By Esther McKenna
For ages, children have been told to listen to their mothers to avoid mishap. One Bellmore 10-year-old proved that he learned this lesson well when he used his mother's guidance to save a fellow student from choking late last month.
Patrick Engle came to the aid of his fifth-grade classmate when he realized Brendan Shea was choking during lunch in the school cafeteria. The boys had just begun to eat when a third classmate told a joke and made them all laugh. A carrot lodged in Brendan's throat. Then "things got scary real quick," said Brendan.
"All of a sudden Brendan started coughing and grabbing his throat with his hands. His face turned red and then blue. I realized from what my mom taught me that he was choking. And I knew I had to do something," said Patrick.
Quickly and calmly, Patrick took control of the situation, telling a classmate to find one of the lunch monitors at the Intermediate Center at Shore Road in Bellmore. Then, he stood behind Brendan, placed his left hand over his right fist and thrust inward and upward on Brendan's midsection, dislodging the carrot.
"It popped right out," said Brendan. "I was scared. But I was lucky that Patrick knew what to do. Saving my life is the nicest thing anyone ever did for me."
Patrick learned the Heimlich maneuver from his mother, Judy, a former Town of Hempstead lifeguard. Engle taught the technique to Patrick and his two brothers, Dillon, 8, and Jack, 6, "in case one of them swallowed a crayon or a toy while playing."
Brendan was immediately brought to the school nurse, Wendy Linehan, who said he was "a bit shaken but alert and aware" after the incident. Principal Christine Augusto congratulated Patrick on his heroic act, and together they visited Brendan in the nurse's office before his father, Richard, picked him up.
Patrick Engle received high praise at a ceremony in his honor at the Shore Road School on Tuesday, Dec. 19. State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) presented Patrick with the first-ever New York State Senate Liberty Medal, a commendation for heroic or humanitarian acts on behalf of other New Yorkers.
"Patrick's actions were nothing less than exceptional, and the highest honors of a hero should be awarded," said Sen. Fuschillo, as he placed the award around Patrick's neck.
"Two young people now understand the importance of thinking clearly and acting quickly during emergencies and have taught a valuable lesson to their classmates: that we all need to be there for one another."
Brendan's mom, Jayne, a registered nurse, said, "My husband and I can't thank Patrick enough for what he did. He is a very special young man. It's amazing that a boy his age was able to do what he did, and so quickly." Shea taught all three of her children the Heimlich maneuver upon returning from the pediatrician's office on the night of the choking incident.
Judy Engle learned about the episode when her son came home from school on Tuesday, Nov. 28. "I'd been out all day and hadn't had a chance to listen to any messages. When Patrick got home, he asked me if I got a call from the principal, and, at first, I was a little concerned. Patrick wouldn't tell me what it was about. It was a lovely message from principal Augusto. I felt proud of my son -- very, very proud," said Engle.
New York State Assemblywoman Kathleen Murray offered congratulations to both boys and presented Brendan with a Good Sport Award. "Both of these young men showed real grace under pressure and set examples for children and adults," said Murray.
Sheldon Dumain, Bellmore Elementary District superintendent, said he was proud of Patrick, calling him a "brave young hero who acted quickly, quietly and deliberately." Dumain also recognized the youngster during a school-board meeting.
Patrick Engle was scheduled to appear on The Jay Leno Show on Jan. 2.
"We're all very proud of what Patrick did. He's a true hero and a wonderful kid," said his father, Patrick Sr.
Patrick Jr. was grateful to his mom for teaching him the technique that saved his friend's life, saying, "It really does pay to listen to your mother."
