Daughter's quick thinking and police officer's quick response help save Warwick man

Warwick — Cheri Ballard has a new motto: Never give up hope. It was a tough road to get here, but Ballard strongly believes miracles do happen. Ballard had just returned from work on Tuesday morning, June 6, to her Edenville home that she and her husband share with her parents, Theodore and Marilyn Filipowski. The Filipowskis, married 52 years, have been living with the Ballards while waiting for a spot to open up at the Burt Farms senior development. Tuesday is karaoke day at Mt. Alverno and Schervier Pavilion—where the Filipowskis volunteer every week. “They love music and dancing,” said Ballard. “They are very involved in the community. They both enjoy volunteering and they love to sing.” As her parents were getting dressed, her dad, who has had heart problems since 1987, asked his wife for a nitroglycerine tablet. Ballard tried to call his cardiologist but couldn’t reach him. While she was on the phone, she noticed her father was in trouble. “He was visibly in a cold sweat,” said Ballard. “He was dizzy and light-headed. He was turning blue. I knew I had to do something.” What she did helped to save her dad’s life. With no CPR training, she tilted his head back to clear his airway. She began breathing for him, then pumping his chest. “I knew something was getting in because his chest was going up and down,” she said. “And he wasn’t blue anymore.” A call to 911 brought Warwick Police Officer Paul Todora, who happened to be driving close to the Ballard’s home. He took over the CPR and also brought out one of the department’s four defibrillators. The department has had the defibrillators since 2000, thanks to the efforts of Mary Bradner, whose husband, Dr. Morris R. Bradner, had died of a heart attack in their home 10 years ago. Mary Bradner wanted to give others a fighting chance if they have a heart attack, so she created the Bradner Heart Fund. Through the fund, the police department has acquired four defibrillators. “There is one defibrillator in each police car and one at the station,” said Warwick police Chief Thomas McGovern. Todora shocked Filipowski three times, according to Ballard. “He never gave up,” she said. “Officer Todora didn’t look at my dad and say he’s 75 years old with a history of heart problems. He did everything he could to bring him back.” The EMTs arrived and took Filipowski to St. Anthony Community Hospital, where he was in critical condition, so critical that Good Samaritan wouldn’t take him, according to Ballard. He was airlifted to Westchester County Medical Center, but only had 10 percent of his heart function. Filipowski stayed in the hospital for 10 days, slowly recovering. When he was released just two days before Father’s Day, his heart and brain were working at 100 percent capacity. Truly a miracle to Ballard. She is most grateful to Todora for responding so quickly and for not giving up. “I knew I had to get oxygen in him,” said Ballard. “But if it wasn’t for the defibrillator, I’ll tell you, he wouldn’t have made it. It really saved his life. It got his heart going again.” Ballard was also grateful that Todora wasn’t intimidated by her two dogs. In all of the confusion, she didn’t think to restrain them. “I wasn’t thinking of my dogs,” she said. “One nipped Officer Todora on his hand, but he just kept working on my dad.” Today, Filipowski is doing very well, according to his very grateful daughter. He walks laps around the house, does not need oxygen and, so far, doesn’t need surgery either. “We couldn’t be happier,” said Ballard. “My dad means the world to us. We are a very close family. He is so giving to everyone—he tries to make everyone’s life easier.” Last week, the Ballards and the Filipowskis were on hand to honor Todora, who received a commendation for helping to save Filipowski’s life. “They gave us hope,” said Ballard to those in attendance. Then, turning to Todora, she said, “It is because you were there and got the oxygen in him and his heart pumping that he is here today. You are an angel and I thank you.”