In an earlier post, we told the stories of Andrew Mueller and Dillon Mueller (no relation) who each lost their lives to unknown allergies. Dillion was eighteen when he was stung by a bee (All bees are different. People can be allergic to only a certain type of bee while having no reaction to being stung by other bees), and Andrew passed away from his unknown allergy to peanuts. After losing Dillon, his parents worked to get Dillon’s Law passed here in Wisconsin which allows anyone to be able to get and use any epinephrine delivery system after training, covered by their own personal insurance, and without fear of being sued for trying to help. (We covered that in an earlier post too.) Then after Andrew’s passing, his family has been working with Dillon’s family, Dr. Markman, Representative Krug and Senator Testin on getting Assembly Bill 128 passed which would require all first responders to carry epinephrine. Most people don’t know that most police and fire personnel do not carry epinephrine, but even more surprising is the fact that many EMT’s don’t have it either and it isn’t on all ambulances. The FARE training makes it clear that when a person calls 911, they need to tell the dispatcher to SEND AND AMBULANCE WITH EPINEPHRINE. Dillon too had first responders arrive without epinephrine. Both Dillon’s family and Andrew’s family chose organ donation for their son’s and that is how we met.
We offered to help in any way possible, and we were asked to share Hannah’s story this past Wednesday at the state capital. AB-128 was being presented to the Wisconsin State Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care. So, that is exactly what we did. We met them at Representative Krug’s office, then we headed to the Grand Army of the Republic Hearing Room. When it was our turn, we shared Hannah’s story as best that we could given the situation, the time frame, and our emotions. Our point was, although there is no direct link between anaphylaxis and a collapsed lung, if Hannah had taken her epinephrine sooner, maybe things would have been different. Epinephrine is the only way to stop the anaphylactic reaction, and it needs to be done ASAP. If first responders show up without it, it would be better for the victim to call a kid with an allergy rather than dialing 911. (Which would have been better in Andrew’s case) We also heard from a first responder to Dillon and Fire Chief Dave Murack, and Sheriff Beker of Wood County who each told of the guilt that the first responders still feel to this day because they were not able to be prepared for something so simple. These first responders will suffer this guilt the rest of their lives, but they don’t make the rules. They had to try to “help” as these boys were dying in front of them, and they were powerless to stop it. BUT they knew that with a safe and simple EDS prescribed to children, they could have saved their lives.
It was a good opportunity for us to use Hannah’s story to help make changes that will save the lives of other people. We understand that God had a plan in everything that He does, and we will take Hannah’s story wherever He leads. You can watch our testimony on our YouTube channel :
We are blessed
Hannah Helps 