Woman looks to aid others after tragedies

Local News

October 26, 2009

By Ryan Palencer The Hendricks County Flyer Mon Oct 26, 2009, 03:53 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS — After losing two of her children to Long QT Syndrome, a genetic cardiac disorder, an Indianapolis woman is taking action.

Jackie Renfrow’s son Jimmy Brackett, 22, died April 15, 2000, and her daughter, Crissy Brackett, 21, died July 25, 2002. At the time of his death, Jimmy was married and had a 2 year old daughter named Alexis.

“They actually died in their sleep,” Renfrow said. “With Long QT, that happens a lot. They both had seizures in their sleep.”

Though her children showed all of the symptoms of having the disorder, Renfrow said doctors had failed to diagnose them until it was too late.

“We had been misdiagnosed,” she said. “Ten months after my daughter died, they found that my mom had Long QT Syndrome. She was the carrier, so now all of us have it except one sibling. It really slows down your heart rate. For years, we thought we had nerve problems, but all along it was our hearts. It was nothing for one of us to just fall over with a seizure.”

In addition to Renfrow, her mother, and her two children, her sister and her children also carry Long QT.

Though the disorder is passed down genetically, it is not necessarily a death sentence.

“It’s very preventable,” Renfrow said. “It’s not like a cancer and it’s not terminal. You can get an internal defibrillator and what’s called a beta blocker, which keeps the blood flowing smoothly.”

Renfrow said heart screenings should be universal.

“I don’t feel that it is important just for athletes to be screened,” she said. “Every child should be screened. I would like to have a bill passed in Indiana that every public place has to have an AED with a plan of action. Everybody should know CPR. You never know when it’s going to happen.

“I started a chapter for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association. They’re based out of Washington, D.C. Of course my passion for doing this is because of the death of my kids.”

Since establishing the chapter here, Renfrow assists with fundraisers and cardiac screenings. One of the fundraisers is the 19th annual Holiday Craft Show, which this year runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds in Danville. The event will be in the Hendricks Power Exposition Hall.

“(The event) is going to go toward cardiac training for AED placement in schools or other community places,” Renfrow said. “I’m trying to reach out of people whose child might have these symptoms.”

In addition, Renfrow is using the events to help spread the word.

“Now I am CPR certified, so now I need to get with the fire departments and schools to make sure that there are AED machines,” Renfrow said. “I feel like students probably even need to learn CPR.”

For more information, e-mail Renfrow at jackie_renfrow@yahoo.com. There is also a website at www.jimmyandcrissy.embarqspace.com.

ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com

Text Only

Local News

Students say good-bye to PHS
PLAINFIELD — The Class of 2012 is the first to spend all four years at the new high school building in Plainfield.

May 26, 2012 2 Photos 1 Slideshow
Commencement held for BDU students
INDIANAPOLIS — Setting goals and making dreams come true was the theme for the Ben Davis University High School commencement held May 26.

May 26, 2012 2 Photos 1 Slideshow
SLIDESHOW: BDU commencement ceremony The Ben Davis University High School graduation ceremony took place May 26.
May 26, 2012 6 Photos
CHS seniors graduate, show a little humor
CLAYTON — The graduating seniors at Cascade High School celebrate commence with light hearts and clear intentions.

May 26, 2012 3 Photos 1 Slideshow
SLIDESHOW: CHS graudation The Cascade High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony was held May 26.
May 26, 2012
500 Festival hosts memorial ceremony
There is nothing more honorable for a man to give his life for his country.

For all of the Hoosiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice and died in the defense of the United States, the 500 Festival hosted its Annual Memorial Service on Monument Circle Friday.

May 25, 2012 3 Photos
Avon council turns down transit request
Greg Ballard, mayor of Indianapolis, recently developed a letter regarding the support of a referendum on transit funding and had asked other local communities to sign the letter.

May 25, 2012
Community gets peek behind the scenes at IMS
For one sunny day, fans of open wheel racing got a peek under the Indy 500 hood, so to speak, as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway put on its annual Community Day.

May 24, 2012 23 Photos
Local family fights back for cure against rare genetic disease
May 24, 2012 1 Photo
County looks to battle water illnesses
The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.

May 23, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Woman looks to aid others after tragedies

Do you think using a tanning bed is worth the risk of skin Cancer?

Site Map