Tri-Valley clients complete emergency First Aid, CPR classes

Two local residents are now prepared to handle emergency situations.

Cliff Kendrick and Patricia Wallace, both clients at Tri-Valley Developmental Services in Fort Scott, recently asked to be included in a training course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that was offered earlier this month by certified trainers at the center. Local registered nurses Val Frederick and Marci Williams, along with Tri-Valley trainer Julie Kent, helped conduct the three-hour CPR classes, which are a requirement for direct support staff each year, a TVDS said.

Kendrick and Wallace, who have received services through TVDS for several years, expressed interest in participating in the courses.

"The clients talked with Marci and asked if they could take the class," Kent said. "They both had reasons for wanting to learn CPR. I didn't know Cliff and Pat that well, so I was a little hesitant, not knowing their ability to do the procedure. I hoped they could do it, though, and I was thrilled when they could."

The two clients participated in all of the class exercises alongside members of the center's direct support staff.

"Part of our mission is to help clients be as independent as possible and to be positive influences in the community," Kent said. "Being prepared for an emergency in life certainly shows their strong sense of responsibility to others."

Kendrick is currently employed through TVDS at a local restaurant. His work with the public is one of the reasons he wanted to learn CPR, Kent said.

"It's important to know," Kendrick said. "You might never need it, but you might, and it could save a life."

Wallace's husband, Archie, has a heart ailment, and she wanted to be sure to know what to do in an emergency situation.

"I wanted to learn CPR for one reason, on account of Archie," Wallace said. "If he had another one of those spells that he has, then I could do something. I think it's a good thing that I know it."

Kendrick and Wallace both wear hearing aids and have difficulty reading; two issues that were of concern to trainers of the course.

"A video is used in the CPR trainings and I worried how much of the information Cliff and Pat understood," Kent said. "In addition, a written test is required for certification and I knew that would be an issue for them both."

The instructors said Kendrick and Wallace passed their tests with flying colors.

"They listened very closely to the video and Marci read the test questions to them for that requirement," Kent said. "They knew the answers with no problem at all."

Both clients passed required testing for CPR and First Aid classes.

"There is never any guarantee that either CPR or First Aid will save a life in an emergency, but both Cliff and Pat feel confident that they could do something to help -- and I have confidence that they could, as well," Kent said. "This is a good thing for them, and a good thing for the people in their lives."

TVDS provides services for children and adults who have developmental disabilities, and works to help them become active members of their communities. The agency, which is headquartered in Chanute, serves citizens in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties, and operates a service center in the Fort Scott Industrial Park.