A trek to the northern outreaches of Mid-Glamorgan beckoned today. To the village of Penderyn, for what was the most wonderful event.
In one of the finest examples of subterfuge I have witnessed, a husband nominated his wife for an award, as a result of her life saving heroics in the village on the outskirts of Bannau Brycheiniog. So unaware of what was about to unfurl, Tracy Sweetland-Hodges was even preparing the buffet for the High Sheriff’s ‘meeting,’ which was in fact the presentation of my first High Sheriff’s Award - to herself. It was a pleasure to do so, to such an admirable recipient.
On March 14th a father who had been residing at the home of his son in Penderyn after a period in hospital; suddenly collapsed, fell and had difficulty breathing. His daughter-in-law immediately called their neighbour, Tracy. Arriving within five minutes she placed the stricken gentleman in the recovery position and then started CPR.
Tracy advised the concerned family get the defibrillator from the community centre, as the patient had stopped breathing. Tracy set up the life saving equipment and followed the instructions. At this time the gentleman's breathing had ceased for while.
Undeterred with a calmness personified, Tracey administered four shocks and kept up the CPR for at least thirty minutes until the paramedics arrived, while continuing to speak to the 999 service on the phone!
When the paramedics arrived, Tracy gave them all the information needed and then stayed with the gentleman’s wider family for many hours afterwards, consoling them and giving the support they needed.
Tracy remained in daily contact for updates and providing support, as the incident had not just impacted on the family concerned, but the whole community.
Without Tracy’s quick actions the gentleman would not be with us today. Everyone is so grateful she answered the phone call and acted so quickly.
She is truly a pillar of the community and does so much for everyone in the ‘Whiskey Village,’ whether that be her work in the community centre, helping neighbours or saving people’s lives! Would you be surprised to hear she was instrumental in the instalment of the defibrillator?
As a GP, I am in awe of how this remarkable woman managed such a stressful situation. Every community needs a Tracey Sweetman-Hodges. They make our society infinitely better.
The Talmud states: ‘If you save a life – you save the world entire.’ For the Brand and Daniels families, Tracey has certainly saved their world and they are eternally grateful to her. It was their moving, simple citation, that really hit home. Tracey unquestionably means the world to the Penderyn community.
However, from saving a life, I think Tracey will kill her husband for keeping this fabulous and well-deserved event a secret! He even arranged to pick up their children from school a little early, to quite rightly, share in the joyful experience.
I’d like to share the sentiments of the Branch and Daniels families and Penderyn residents, to thank Tracey on being such an extra-ordinary person.