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To schedule an appointment call 215-860-2044 or toll free 1-800-783-2044.	Bucks County Courier Times - Letter to the Editor Tuesday, November 7, 2006 Crucial test: 'We thank God for our son's life' We read the article about Pennsbury students getting echocardiograms. While this may seem extreme to some, we are very glad to see this practice taking place. Our son played Little League baseball in Morrisville starting when he was 7. In middle school and high school he played soccer and baseball. In college, he played intramural volleyball, soccer and ultimate Frisbee, often playing pickup soccer games with a group of friends. In January and March, he made two trips to Louisiana to assist hurricane victims where he did heavy lifting and manual work. He was naturally athletic, competitive and never showed any indication of any health problems. On Aug. 16, this 21-year-old athlete collapsed from a cardiac arrest while playing a pickup soccer game at his college, Cerdarville University. His close friend, trained in CPR, responded quickly and when the EMTs arrived they electrically shocked his heart. To make a long story short, Jonathan ended up in a coma. Today, almost three months later, he is at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in a minimally conscious state and soon will be going to an aggressive rehab. We will never forget the day the neurologist stood by his bed and told us this is an unusual case. We said to him, "You mean because he is so young?" His quiet reply was "No, you would be surprised at how often we see this in young men. I mean because he lived." Since he wasn't in intercollegiate organized sports, he would not have received an echocardiogram under such a program, but such a test probably would have prevented this incident. Most cardiologists believe an enlarged heart from a virus cause his heart attack. One felt it could have been an electrical malfunction of the heart. Either way, only an echocardiogram would have identified a problem. We thank God for our son's life and know his slow but continual progress is an answer to many prayers. We are grateful God has provided us daily strength and grace, but still our lives have been turned upside down. If this test can prevent another family the heartache we have felt and save one life, it will be worth it. Gary and Lois Taylor Morrisville, PA

To schedule an appointment call 215-860-2044 or
toll free 1-800-783-2044.

Bucks County Courier Times - Letter to the Editor
Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Crucial test: 'We thank God for our son's life'

We read the article about Pennsbury students getting echocardiograms. While this may seem extreme to some, we are very glad to see this practice taking place.

Our son played Little League baseball in Morrisville starting when he was 7. In middle school and high school he played soccer and baseball. In college, he played intramural volleyball, soccer and ultimate Frisbee, often playing pickup soccer games with a group of friends.

In January and March, he made two trips to Louisiana to assist hurricane victims where he did heavy lifting and manual work. He was naturally athletic, competitive and never showed any indication of any health problems.

On Aug. 16, this 21-year-old athlete collapsed from a cardiac arrest while playing a pickup soccer game at his college, Cerdarville University. His close friend, trained in CPR, responded quickly and when the EMTs arrived they electrically shocked his heart. To make a long story short, Jonathan ended up in a coma.

Today, almost three months later, he is at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in a minimally conscious state and soon will be going to an aggressive rehab. We will never forget the day the neurologist stood by his bed and told us this is an unusual case. We said to him, "You mean because he is so young?" His quiet reply was "No, you would be surprised at how often we see this in young men. I mean because he lived."

Since he wasn't in intercollegiate organized sports, he would not have received an echocardiogram under such a program, but such a test probably would have prevented this incident. Most cardiologists believe an enlarged heart from a virus cause his heart attack. One felt it could have been an electrical malfunction of the heart. Either way, only an echocardiogram would have identified a problem.

We thank God for our son's life and know his slow but continual progress is an answer to many prayers. We are grateful God has provided us daily strength and grace, but still our lives have been turned upside down. If this test can prevent another family the heartache we have felt and save one life, it will be worth it.

Gary and Lois Taylor
Morrisville, PA