Meet Ella Beames, Kentucky Advocate

When facing adversity, existing in the tragedy of it all is easy and sometimes all one has the capacity for. That state of being isn’t an unfamiliar feeling, but I think that finding and pursuing the silver lining is the route I much prefer.

To keep my “facing adversity” narrative short and sweet, 13 years ago I survived cardiac arrest. I was eight years old. The world went black, and I went without a pulse for nearly two minutes. I was in a school with no AED. I was lucky enough to be granted a second chance at life after my school principal and angel on earth, Deb Rivera, administered three rounds of CPR. In the days just after my arrhythmia, I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), and I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted.

Despite its challenges, that life-changing event has brought forth opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime.

My involvement with the American Heart Association began in nearly ten years ago when I was asked if I would share my story at Louisville’s Heart Ball in 2015. I was thrilled and honored to have the privilege of sharing my story. Perhaps at that point I was not only excited about the potential strides I could be a part of making, but I was excited to just be understood. Although I don’t think, at that point, I quite understood just how important and impactful that opportunity was.

Now, almost ten years later, I’ve had the privilege to step into my big girl shoes on the advocacy front, with a greater perspective and a deeper passion for the work being done by the American Heart Association. In the last three months, I have been lucky enough to have the chance to speak at the Kentucky State Capitol to advocate for House Bill 331 and House Bill 169. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with other people fighting for this cause, which has been nothing short of enlightening and motivating, because I see that I am not in this fight alone. To hear about the progress being made in the Capitol, and to know that our work is not going unrecognized is everything eight-year-old me had no idea she needed.

Heart disease does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, or age. This kind of horror can happen to anyone at any time. I feel grateful that I can use my platform as a survivor to be a part of the mission that protects the people who are, have been, and will be in the position I was in 13 years ago. My passion and excitement only continue to grow, especially as I prepare to join the American Heart Association team in New York City this summer as a Marketing Communications intern.

Education and preparation are strides we can all make in joining this mission. By working together, we can all be ready to save a life.

----Ella Beames, KY Advocate