Meet our 2006 Heroes

Carol M. McCarl of Blindskills, Inc.

Carol M. McCarl is the founder and Executive Director of Blindskills, Inc., a Salem-based nonprofit that distributes information to visually impaired people and their families locally, nationally and in Canada. McCarl has 35 years of experience teaching visually impaired students in Connecticut and Oregon and serves on the boards of several blindness organizations. She was the founder and editor of L1FEPRINTS, a magazine for youth and young adults with vision loss and in 1990, she became the editor of DIALOGUE magazine. Although DIALOGUE began in one format as a recorded disc, it is now available on cassette, in 18-point print, Braille, via e-mail and on computer disk.

McCarl who is herself blind, faces many challenges as the director of a small organization. One common misconception is that Blindskills Inc. is funded by the state since her office is located on the Oregon School for the Blind's campus. As a 501 (c)3 organization, Blindskills Inc. is primarily supported through donations, magazine subscriptions and grants. McCarl rents her office space and chose the location to make her resources more readily available to the school's students.

Earlier this year McCarl received the American Foundation for the Blind's (AFB) Migel Medal-the highest honor in the blindness field. McCarl's contributions are greatly appreciated and deserving of community support. For more information on Blindskills Inc. please visit online at www.blindskills.com or call the office at 503-581-4224.

Mark Fricker and Chad Woods

In July of 2005 Chad Woods and his family met their friends, the Davis family for lunch and some fun at Neskowin Beach. Mark Fricker and his family were preparing lunch in the house they rented which overlooked the beach.  James Davis and his son JR along with Bonnie Woods (Chad's wife) were wading out into the ocean and playing in the waves, when the two men were caught in a riptide, just a few feet from Bonnie. 

Hearing Bonnie's yells for HELP, Chad ran for a life ring and rope he had seen earlier before entering the cold ocean. Mark also heard Bonnie's cries for HELP, told his wife to call 911 and then he ran to join Mark in the rescue attempt.  In just a few moments Chad and Mark developed a plan to enter the dangerous current and ultimately save James Davis' life. The men told the other people who had assembled on the beach to hold onto the rope, then Chad and Mark went out to the current's edge. Seeing James Davis, Chad told Mark "If you can get the ring to James, I will get you back". Mark felt confident that with the team of people on the rope and Chad's assurance, he could safely reach them and not become a victim himself. While he was able to reach James Davis, JR could not be found. After pulling James Davis from the sea, Mark and Chad cleared people from the water.

Both the Woods and Mark Fricker had been advocates for rescue training and water safety before this incident. Both families are involved with their church youth camps which have water activities. Their strong commitment to teach the importance of water safety now has an even deeper meaning than it did in July of 2005.

Mark and Chad's contributions not only saved the life of James Davis, but saved others who wanted to enter the ocean in a rescue attempt that day. While we are deeply saddened by the loss of James Davis' son JR, we are grateful to these heroes for their continued commitment to training life-saving skills and building awareness which  may save many other lives in the years to come.

Caleb Hawkins

Caleb Hawkins - a 13-year old eighth grader at Cascade Middle School, is part of a close knit family residing in Turner. At four years of age Caleb began learning the piano, then moved on to the guitar, drums and saxophone. His love of music is shared by his entire family, a tradition handed down from his grandfather, Haskell. Caleb also enjoys traveling with his family, flying colorful kites, rollerblading and dancing.

Caleb learned basic first aid skills in his health class this past year. He was obviously paying attention when his teacher covered the abdominal thrust technique. When his Grandfather Haskell began choking, Caleb took immediate action which resulted in saving Haskell's life. When Jefferson Fire Department medics arrived at the Hawkins' home, the situation was under control. Caleb's grandfather was breathing on his own and did not need any medical attention.

If Caleb had not been trained to master the lifesaving technique to open Haskell's airway and remain calm the outcome for his grandfather could have been very different. If you ask Caleb or his family about his honor of being named a hero you will receive a humble reply. There is a warmth and sincerity in this young man's approach to life. Of his grandfather Caleb says, "My grandfather is an important part of my life".

Salem Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Landon Richard entered the world three months premature - not breathing - into the front seat of a 1993 Acura Integra. His mother Cara, had been in labor for almost a whole day before she was rushed to Salem Hospital. Fortunately, highly skilled staff and special equipment was waiting upon their arrival.

Just one week prior to Landon's birth, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) became fully ready to care for 26-week old babies. When the state of the art unit opened three years ago they were caring for babies at the 34-week gestation point. The unit gradually began caring for younger babies.

The unit has a team of medical specialists including neonatologists, respiratory therapists, lactation therapists and nursing staff. The NICU ventilators, monitors, catheters, intravenous equipment and the medicines used are very similar to those used in a regular intensive care unit, but smaller in size. In addition to the small size of premature babies there are physiological differences in their bodies which require very specialized expertise in their medical care.

Prior to the opening of Salem Hospital's NICU, premature babies were transferred to Portland for care. In Oregon these special units are located in Portland, Eugene, Medford, Bend and Salem. Salem Hospital estimates that 4,000 babies will be born here this year. Dr. Howard Cohen, Medical Director of the NICU, estimates that 300-400 of those babies will need some form of special care.

The unit was the vision of past Chief Medical Officer, George Miller M.D., a pediatrician who championed this project. There are many heroes responsible for bringing this life-saving resource to our community. Salem Hospital's Board of Directors supported Dr. Miller's vision and made this extraordinary service to families a reality. The key professionals who helped save Landon's life are Terri Wright, RN, Mohamed Hassan, M.D., Christine Chappell, RN, Phyllis McCue, RN, Barbara Morris, RN, Terry Simmons, RN and Kenneth Wilson, RRT.

We are so pleased to celebrate these extraordinary professionals and the work they do to build a healthier community - every day!

Logan Lewallen

Four-year-old Logan Lewallen and his father, Steven, share a special interest in Superheroes.  Together they watch superhero cartoons, movies and play games. At the age of one-and-a-half Logan donned his first superman outfit. But all of this is just for play, Logan knows what is real.

Steven and Heather, Logan's mother, taught Logan how to call 911 in the event of an emergency. This was especially important because Heather had been suffering from unexplained seizures. Heather suffered such a seizure when Steven was at work one day. Young Logan remained completely calm and acted just as his parents had taught him to. He called 911 for help....and then refused to let emergency responders in the family's apartment upon their arrival. (Logan's parents had also taught him the importance of not letting strangers in the apartment.

Steven happened to call home on his break at just that moment and everything worked out. Logan is a fine example of how simple training can save a life. Even a youngster who loves to play superhero knows what it takes to be a REAL HERO.

Officer Nick Hunter - Independence Police Department
Officer Matt Olafson - Monmouth Police Department

Moments after the 5:06 AM emergency dispatch on March 14, 2006, Monmouth Police Officer Matt Olafson began evacuating a burning apartment building at 291 West Clay Street in Monmouth. Officer Olafson knocked on doors and windows alerting the sleeping residents to get out of the building.

He was soon joined by Independence Police Officer Nick Hunter. Officer Hunter surveyed the scene and moved the evacuated residents and onlookers to safety across the street. A second emergency dispatch informed the officers of a woman still trapped in her apartment. Without the aid of a breathing apparatus or fire extinguisher the officers bravely re-entered the burning building and navigated narrow stairwells filled with black smoke to evacuate more residents. Working together they were able to reach the final resident, the woman who had placed the 911 call which prompted the second dispatch. They immediately took the woman to the paramedics who had just arrived on the scene.

With the Fire Department now at the scene, the officers began providing traffic control and managed the onlookers who had gathered to watch the fire. As with any other incident there were interviews to take and reports to file. These men quietly returned to their offices to complete their shift once calm was restored to the area. Neither considered their actions to be heroic, they simply considered it to be all in a day's work.

Otis

Otis, a Portuguese Water Dog, and his handlers Dr. Richard and Mrs. Marcy Lowy have formed a strong animal-assisted therapy team. In 2001 Otis obtained his registration as a "Pet Partner" with the Delta Society and began his official career of helping people. In January 2002, Otis and the Lowys obtained their HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response training and certifications. During this time the team had been working at Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland, making weekly visits to clinic and in-patients, from infants to adults. The Lowys also held leadership positions and worked diligently to build the HOPE organization in the Northwest Region.

In April of 2002 the team was deployed to the World Trade Center "pit" to work with firefighters and construction workers who were dealing with the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In that same month the team began volunteering at Providence St.Vincent Hospital, making weekly visits to radiation and chemo-therapy patients. Otis "sat vigil" with many families as patients experienced their last moments of life.

The team has deployed with the American Red Cross as well as responded to multiple traumatic stress debriefings at schools, fire-stations and community centers. The team has represented the Willamette Chapter locally on critical incident stress debriefings and continues to serve as a resource to our Disaster Services Department. Otis has served as a bridge to facilitate communication with people who are emotionally frail, tired, frightened, and grieving. The Lowys say that Otis has an innate ability to walk into a room and know who needs him most.

One of the most inspiring accounts of his talent took place at a Red Cross shelter in San Bernardino, CA. The team had been called in to work with people who had experienced devastating losses in a wildfire that forced them to evacuate their homes. As flames closed in on both sides of her car, a mother drove her family to safety. The intense heat caused the mother's face to blister. The woman's little girl became so traumatized that she stopped speaking. After 24 hours of silence, Otis quietly approached the girl. The girl began to pet Otis, then he joined her on the cot and they snuggled. After about 15 minutes, the little girl began to talk to Marcy about her experience. The girl asked for Otis to return the following day. When the team arrived at her cot the next day, they found it empty. The little girl had joined the other children in the shelter in play.

American Red Cross volunteers are as diverse as America itself. This unique team delivers hope - in keeping with the Spirit of the Red Cross. We appreciate the valuable service they provide in our community!

Molly

Molly is a 4 1/2 year old black and white Australian Shepherd. She is a certified therapy dog through the Willamette Humane Society's Pet Ambassador Program. Molly accompanies Carlene Benson, a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, to the office everyday. During therapy sessions Molly provides comfort to both children and adults in distress. Molly is especially helpful in making children feel safe and secure, enabling the therapy process. This is particularly evident in the work Molly and Carlene do at the School for the Deaf each week.

Molly is also certified as a HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response Dog. She accompanies Carlene to trauma debriefings with emergency personnel and provides comfort to them after particularly traumatic calls. Her work in this capacity often facilitates emotional healing where a therapist working without a dog may not be as successful.

Carlene became acutely aware of the bridge that dogs can become when she was stationed at Ground Zero after September 11^th. She did not have a Crisis Response Dog herself at the time, but began looking for her therapy partner upon her return from the assignment. Carlene found Molly at the Humane Society. The two have been working as a team since that time.

We applaud this team for their dedication and professionalism.

They have answered many distress calls and worked diligently to offer healing to those in need. They are truly "emotional lifesavers"!