Posted: 1/17/07
Hero to some, but she says she was ‘Just doing my job'
 Tia Peterson (right) and Keeley Christensen during one of their many visits at Gillette Children's Hospital. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
Tia Peterson had no idea she was five minutes from saving a young girl's life and becoming a family's hero last February. All she knew was that she was lost, late for work, and there was way too much traffic for a Saturday.
On her way to Regions Hospital, where she works as a laboratory service technician - she was on an exit ramp from Hwy. 10 to I-35W when she realized why traffic was so backed up.
"I saw this car, it was disintegrated, and there was nobody there," she said. So the 27-year-old nursing student and former White Bear Lake EMT did what came natural; she got out of her car, ran through the waist-high grass, and crossed the freeway in front of oncoming traffic to see what she could do. At the time, she remembered thinking, "I am going to be so late for work."
Girls' day out
Keeley Christensen was with her mother, Heidi Christensen, 27, of Forest Lake, and Heidi's friend Renee Salzman, 27, of Wyoming, that day. She was along for the ride, strapped into her car seat in the back seat, on a quick trip to the Twin Cities to pick up odds and ends, when another vehicle came into the lane occupied by Christensen's car. She lost control, spun through the median, and ended up in the northbound lane of I-35W, where her car was struck three separate times by three different vehicles. Both adults were hurt badly, but Keeley was injured worst of all with a severe traumatic brain injury, getting worse by the second.
"Get me wings"
When Peterson arrived the accident had just occurred. There were no police or rescue personnel yet, and Peterson was confronted with three seriously injured people. Heidi, who had suffered a severe head injury, was screaming, while Salzman was draped over the dashboard. Then she noticed the little girl in the back seat. Keeley had sustained a potentially fatal head injury and her forehead was already swelling at a rapid rate. "You could tell right away that she had a major skull fracture. She was in and out of consciousness, throwing up, gasping for breath, it was bad," said Peterson.
At that point her training and instinct took over. She assessed the situation and, realizing that young Keeley could die at any time, looked at a just-arrived State Trooper and said "get me wings."
Her demand for a helicopter would prove life saving for Keeley.
A chaotic scene
Law enforcement and rescue personnel had their hands full with the crash, which involved three cars and as many as seven injured people. Peterson ran into some resistance from officers, as they had no idea if she was who she said she was. Plus, they were busy trying to get traffic cleared so rescue crews could get to the scene.
In the meantime, Keeley stopped breathing momentarily, lending even more urgency to the situation. Once rescue teams arrived, they began the process of extricating the three victims from the car. Peterson stayed with Keeley as they slid her through the rear window and carried her into the ambulance. Once Keeley was settled, Peterson noticed something strange; she was alone.
At the time she thought, with so many people injured and in need of attention, perhaps crews had made the decision that Keeley could not be saved. "Keeley had no collar, no IV, no backboard, and I was covered in vomit from head to toe. All I remember thinking was, I am not going to leave this little girl."
Unfortunately she wasn't able to do much besides get an IV started. The suction tool she wanted to use to remove vomit from Keeley's throat wasn't functioning, and not being familiar with the ambulance, Peterson was unable to find oxygen masks and other equipment she needed.
While she was trying to get organized, EMT's came in with a man from another of the cars, put him on the other side of the ambulance and said "let's go," but Peterson refused. "We have to wait for the helicopter," she insisted.
Moments later the helicopter arrived, and Keeley was flown away. Peterson didn't even know her name.
That girl is going to die
Once Keeley was flown from the scene, Peterson had nothing to do but get back in her car and get to work. "I was hysterical," she said. "I called my mom and told her I think this little girl is going to die." To this day she isn't sure how she arrived at work, just that she did.
Work proved no elixir for the post traumatic shock and exhaustion though. Peterson spent most of her time staffing the emergency room on a crying jag, until she was allowed to go home. She called the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) later that day and was told Keeley's first name and that she was in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition.
Two days later, no longer able to stand not knowing, Peterson drove to HCMC, where she told ICU nurses she wanted to see the little girl named Keeley. Nurses were in the process of telling Peterson that, since she was neither family or friend she could not see Keeley, when a curtain flew back and Keeley's grandmother, Lorie Koalska, emerged.
Koalska had been at Keeley's bed side since shortly after the crash and had no idea what had transpired, or who Peterson was. When Peterson explained that she had been at the scene and why she wanted to see Keeley, Koalska looked at the ICU nurse and said, "this girl is welcome to come whenever she wants."
Keeley
Keeley doesn't remember the crash or her extensive healing process and that may be just as well. Doctors were forced to remove the entire front portion of her skull cap to allow her brain the room it needed to swell. A large bandage bearing the words "no bone" covered her forehead for days. When Peterson first saw her she was not hopeful. "I saw tubes coming out of her everywhere and she was in a coma. I was devastated. I thought, she's going to be a vegetable for the rest of her life."
Worried about permanent brain damage, doctors weren't providing much hope.
A new chapter
But Keeley did survive, and in grand fashion. Weeks later, when Peterson would visit Keeley, now at Gillette Children's Hospital next door to Regions, she was amazed that the girl bouncing off the walls and jumping off the furniture could even be the same child.
Keeley's forehead had been replaced, her hair was starting to grow back, and she showed no signs of permanent brain damage. It was at this time that doctors would explain how rare it is for a child to survive such a catastrophic injury and credit Peterson's actions at the scene with making the difference.
With Keeley doing so well, Peterson's role began to change; she was becoming the memory for Keeley's mother Heidi, who was involved in her own recovery as well as that of her daughter.
Heidi was healing from a severe head injury, plus three broken ribs, a punctured lung, six fractured ribs, a broken ankle, and punctured bladder. She had no recollection of the accident or aftermath.
Salzman, who suffered multiple broken bones, had been able to provide a few details as she had escaped the crash without a head injury, but she was nevertheless severely injured herself and details were sketchy. Peterson began to explain to Heidi what had taken place that day. "She was able to fill in a lot of the gaps," said Heidi. "She has provided a lot of closure for me."
Peterson has remained friends with Keeley and Heidi, Salzman, and Koalska since the tragedy. Heidi and her mother think very highly of their new friend. "She is an amazing person," said Koalska. "Not a day goes by that she isn't in my mind and thoughts. I don't know if she realizes how special she is to us."
Heidi thinks of Peterson as nothing less than the person who was able to take care of her daughter when she was not; a powerful bond.
Peterson feels the same way about them, calling her new friends "wonderful people," but she is so impressed with Heidi it is impossible for her to talk about her without crying.
"I could only dream of being as good a mom as she is. She's a great mom and so strong. I give her so much credit for dealing with all of this stuff. She has her physical therapy and takes such good care of Keeley. She deserves so much."
Likewise, Peterson has become quite enamored with Keeley. "Every time I see her walking around it is a miracle," she said. "That little girl is so special, which is why I just didn't want to let go."
Happier times
This weekend the Christensens, the Koalskas, and Peterson will be together again, under much happier circumstances. Peterson is getting married at Chisago Lakes Lutheran and her new friends will not only be there, but part of the ceremony. "Keeley is my flower girl," Peterson said with a smile.
Emotions still run high when she sees Keeley and she's not sure she'll be able to hold it together when she sees Keeley making her way to the altar. "I'm never going to make it down the aisle without crying."
Salzman, who had a broken neck and an arm fractured in multiple places, is back to work, according to Koalska.
One year later Keeley is attending kindergarten and shows no visible affects from the crash. She has no memory of the crash or events in the weeks leading up to the crash, if asked, she says, "but I do remember that my birthday's coming up."
Heidi remains in physicaltherapy for pelvic injuries. She has no memory of the crash or anything that happened a few weeks before or after it happened. She may suffer lingering affects as a result of her head injury, but she couldn't be happier. She has her little girl and she credits Peterson for making that possible with quick action when it was needed. She noted the difference a person can make simply by taking the time to stop and get involved.
Aside from getting married, Peterson is preparing to graduate from nursing school in May, as an LPN and the following May as a RN. She's also a little uncomfortable with the word "hero."
"What do you say to that? I don't really feel that way, I was just doing my job."
Comment from Debra Jones, 1/19/07
That is such a cool story,I got goosebumps and bawled my way through it. The world really does need more heroes like this. Thanks for making my day!
Comment from barbara lynn, 1/22/07
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I just want to thank Ms. Peterson for being there for Keeley, Heidi and our wholle family. You by far are more than a hero! I did not know anything about her until I read the article just now. Thank you is not enough for what you did that day. I am sure thankful to all who helped my family and the others that day. May God bless you all.
Comment from prying1, 1/24/07
Really great story. It is items like this the MSM should be concentrating on. - Thanks -
Comment from Vicki DeVico, 1/24/07
What a heartwarming story. Tia Peterson is a shining example of how a single person can make a huge difference. Folks who volunteer and go out of their ways to help others are angels on earth. We need more of them!
Comment from Jen, 1/25/07
Tia is the definition of a TRUE hero! God bless her and her dedication to Keeley.
Comment from Laura, 1/26/07
Heros are those who do what they have to do to save a person,or an animal. They just do it.God bless those who never see themselves as heros who step and become one. God bless Tia, Keely, Heidi and their friend.
Comment from Tia Peterson/Cunningham, 1/29/07
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their comments. A big thank you to Pat Tepoorten for doing the story. After this story was done, it made national news and even Inside Edition. Heidi, Keeley, Renee, and I have also become even closer since our story has be told. This story means everything to us and has forever changed our lives. Thanks again for all of your comments and support.
Comment from sis, 1/29/07
i am so happy for no life loss. why do some people always look at what they dont get or what people dont give you what they dont have. or buy a card you throw away, when they are starving! you have your mom and my kids stop whining! be thankful you have it all. wake up before your life will be destroyed so easily,SMASH your a vague memory! Thank you Tia, you ROCK!
Comment from Jay:}, 1/29/07
Tia your actions will always be remembered by the ones you have touched. Thank you. Remember the things we do to peoples lives will always find its way back to us tenfold. We should all learn from this tragedy, we most likely wont get another chance begin again. Somehow, some way, your deeds will be repaid, big, small, bad or good. When a new door has been opened, what things do you expect is comming your way? Wow! I am thinking Keeleys Daddy must be double indebted to you. That unmeasurable goodness is so GRAND!
Comment from Stacey, 1/29/07
What a great story! I too could not make it through without shedding a tear..
Comment from Stacy Heinlein, 1/31/07
I am sooooo glad to see Keeley has recovered my heart goes out to you Heidi & family.
Comment from Heidi and Keeley, 2/1/07
We would like to thank Tia agian for all she has done for us, and Pat for giving us the opportunity to share our story. I also want to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses at HCMC and Gilette for all their hard work and long hours taking care of us. They are amazing people. A special thank you to thoes who worked in the Peds. ICU: Dr. Kaurago(Kangaroo) and nurse Kristi, Nate, Jen and all others who worked in the ICU at HCMC. You made a lasting impression on Keeley, she talks of you often.
Thank you to Sally, April, Netta, and Jason for being there for us and everyone else who supported us.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com