Meaka Star, 11, was honoured in Turtleford last week for helping alert emergency services when her grandmother needed aid a year ago. (Submitted photo/Holly Roy)
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Young girl recognized for helping save her grandmother

May 30, 2022 | 4:03 PM

Turtleford recently honoured a very poised youngster for her role in saving her grandmother’s life.

Meaka Star, an 11-year-old from the area, was recognized as a Stroke Hero as part of Paramedic Services Week. When her grandmother, Marleen Conacher, suffered two strokes within a week of each other a year ago, Star was able to take the correct steps to call emergency services and talk them through what was happening. Dignataries were on hand for the ceremony from WestMed Ambulance, Heart & Stroke Saskatchewan and the Town of Turtleford, along with Conacher and other family members.

(Submitted photos/Holly Roy)

Stephanie Rusu, director of Health Policy and Systems for Heart & Stroke Saskatchewan, told battlefordsNOW that it’s a bit shocking to hear of situations like this, but that it’s surprisingly common. She added that it speaks to the importance of educating everyone on the signs of a stroke.

“We have a number of different stories across the country where a young person identifies signs and takes the initiative to call,” Rusu said. “Witness accounts are really, really important.”

The critical step Star took was calling 911 and being able to talk through what was happening. Rusu said the province’s stroke team has developed a good protocol, so that dispatchers know which hospital is equipped to treat stroke and people don’t try to drive themselves.

“The CT scanner is cleared, clot-busting drugs are often prepared so people can be treated quickly…We have the best outcomes when that takes place and that’s what Meaka did.

“Marleen has been able to resume her normal life, so it’s a big deal.”

Partial memory, proud grandparent

Conacher told meadowlakeNOW that she remembers part of the first stroke, when she was having a movie night with her granddaughters Meaka and Ariya. While cleaning dishes from supper, she suddenly couldn’t find her hand.

“I didn’t have any visual of my arm,” she said. “Then, this I don’t remember, but I fell and Meaka said she helped me onto the bed and told Ariya to “sit on Nama and don’t you let her up!”

After calling her dad and telling him “Nama looks possessed,” he said to call 911, where Star handled the conversation as well as any adult.

“The 911 operator couldn’t get over how calm and how controlled she was to be able to answer the questions and not be excited or anything,” Conacher said.

Conacher ended up staying overnight in emergency in Saskatoon and came home to stay at her son’s place. Then six days later, she tried to take her medication and couldn’t figure out how to open the bottle.

“Meaka told me to sit down, she knew what was happening immediately,” Conacher said. “So, she called 911, a family member took me to the hospital and from the time she told me to sit down to when the ambulance arrived only 35 minutes had passed.”

(Submitted photo/Marleen Conacher)

Reflecting on the experience, Conacher said she’s couldn’t put into words how proud she was of her granddaughter.

“She can handle a lot of stuff, she’s just that personality,” she said. ”I was pretty overcome with emotion and pride, she saved my life, or at least from being in a wheelchair.”

Conacher, who’s made a full recovery, said she and her granddaughters have enjoyed a number of special nights since then.

“We did a special movie night at new year’s eve that Meaka still talks about,” she said. “Life is good, she stays busy with dance and ball.”

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

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