She rehearsed the song for months leading up to the big event, but on the night of the Farallone View Elementary School talent show, third-grader Sofia Montoya was in the hospital and unable to perform.
So a recording of the song played on its own, with audience members invited to sing the chorus. Later, Sofia’s mother, Shawna Montoya, showed her a video of the performance that had gone on in her absence. With Sofia lying unconscious in a hospital bed, Shawna played the recording of the Rachel Platten song in her daughter’s ear.
“This is my fight song, take back my life song, prove I’m alright song …”
Sofia’s fight began on April 18. That afternoon the 8-year-old was playing with friends during lunch recess at Farallone View when she became unresponsive.
School staff called 911 and performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived. Once stabilized, Sofia was taken to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital via helicopter and admitted to its pediatric intensive care unit.
Tests revealed the child had a heart condition known as Long QT syndrome. The condition causes fast heartbeats that can trigger fainting spells, seizures and sudden death, according to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Long QT syndrome can result from other medical conditions or a genetic mutation.
The heart condition is treatable. After receiving the diagnosis, Sofia was put on medication to help regulate her heartbeat. Doctors also equipped the girl with a “heart helper,” what the Montoyas are calling Sofia’s mini defibrillator, that will shock her heart if necessary. The device also transmits heartbeat data back to the hospital overnight.
Within days of receiving the device, Sofia was discharged from the hospital. She arrived at her El Granada home on Thursday afternoon to a small crowd of neighbors, friends and first responders eagerly awaiting her return.
David Cosgrave, a battalion chief with Coastside Fire Protection District, was among those who welcomed the girl home. His engine company responded to the incident at the school and was also there to greet Sofia and her mother with hugs, flowers and a stuffed animal on Thursday.
“Everybody’s got their own kids,” Cosgrave said, referring to his colleagues. “It’s a call you never hope to have in your career.”
Seeing a positive outcome result from such scary circumstances, Cosgrave added, “validates why you entered this profession.”
After exchanging hugs and greetings with well-wishers, Sofia took funny photos with friends and checked out the fire engine while her parents looked on.
Shawna Montoya said Thursday that her daughter is doing well and is eager to return to school. She said her family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. People have donated money to cover their medical expenses, organized a “meal train” and sent cards to Sofia. Her second-grade teacher’s class passed along a video of students singing about lizard lips, a song Shawna recalled her daughter singing often last school year.
“I played it for her when she woke up, and she started singing,” Montoya said. “She’s been incredibly amazing.”
Montoya added that the CPR Sofia received at school saved her daughter’s life. Given that, she wants to get involved in promoting the importance of CPR training on the Coastside.
“Something amazing will come out of this,” Montoya said.
(1) comment
“Something amazing will come out of this,” Montoya said.
"Something amazing" already has.
As a parent, I can't begin to imagine what Sofia's parents went through.
That Sofia is back with her family, healthy and now knowing of a problem that appears they can deal with is a God send and a benchmark for faith.
This is such a feel good story. What a cute young lady ... and lucky that things lined up as they did.
From the Fire District personnel efforts, to the hospital staff, to ... my eyes watered when I read it and are again as I try to type it ... to Montoya's playing the song about lizard lips, that Sofia sang along with - Wow, what a powerful story and what a wonderful ending to it all.
Family is everything. Welcome home, Sofia.
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