It was 86 degrees in Markham Park and the Grace Jamaica Jerk Festival 2015 was in full swing. I was playing my part at the bar where members of the Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes were giving of their time, promoting the work of the Club. While serving sodas, water and fruit juices to patrons, I couldn’t help but notice two kids, ages about 8 and 10 standing in line, waiting to be served.  I zoomed in on them but their mom who was towering over them and who ordered “two Tropical Rhythms and a water please” she said, also caught my attention. I turned around and walked to get the bottles of liquid when I heard the voice of the towering lady shout “mister, she’s fainted, bring me a juice”.  I turned towards her voice, and there, not too far away, body slumped, mouth dripping saliva, and held firmly by a strong man refusing to let her fall to the ground, was a young lady who had taken ill .

“Bring me some water” a man who was pouring his bottle of water on the head of this slumping, unconscious young lady, said.  Somehow however, I seemed to focus more on the voice of the tall, towering lady, as her request sounded a little more deliberate and confident than the others.  I rushed towards the refrigerated juices, quickly flipped one open and gave it to this imposing lady, who by now demanded space inside the booth for the patient to be moved away from the crowd.

I cleared the barriers trusting the confidence of this towering lady as she appeared to be in full charge of this unexpected situation. At the same time and in the middle of it all, my mind turned to her two kids for whom she had ordered the drinks in the first place. We made eye contact and I pointed to the children, indicating to them to not move. And as the unconscious young lady was moved, I turned to a colleague and asked her to call 911.

Now, as they rested the sick young lady on the table I had prepared, I heard the tall, towering and confident lady instruct, “no water for her, I am a nurse”. “Phew!!!” I thought.  My instinct was right.  She told me that she preferred a sweet drink over water, I guess just in case it was a diabetic episode that had caused this upset.

The nurse beckoned to me to secure her two kids.  “Done!” I said. They were now with Celia Earle, Kiwanis Governor, who was positioned not too far away from me.

The nurse stayed with the young lady, fanning her, mildly slapping her cheeks, and speaking to her until she regained consciousness. She never left her side until the patient was able to stand up and become conversant.  As she recovered, she thanked everyone and left.

I never found out the name of the young lady who fainted. But I did learn the name of the towering, confident nurse, who took charge of the situation at hand. A Good Samaritan she was and my hero for the day. Her name is Mishaun Beckford, a Nurse.

By the way, although I was assured by the 911 operator that the emergency response team was on its way, they never came. But then, the crowd was also very thick. Kudos Mishaun!