AJ Fulgham, appropriately a Life Scout, in Troop 135 of Smyrna, was honored Jan. 14 for his lifesaving actions while helping his younger brother during a seizure. Fulgham was presented with a Spirit of Scouting Certificate of Merit from the Del-Mar-Va Council at a special ceremony at Asbury United Methodist Church.
The award was presented by John Polanichka, Boy Scout Advancement Chairman for Two Bays District Scouts.
Polanichka said the award is a rare honor for a Scout.
I believe this is only the second one in my 15 years on the Council Committee,” he said.
Calm response to infant’s seizure
Fulgham earned the award for his actions on Sept. 27, 2008. AJ, then 15, was home with his brothers, Bryce, 3, and Zach, 13 months, and his dad. At about 5 p.m., Zach had a seizure. AJ immediately placed Zach on the floor so he wouldn’t injure himself. He alerted his dad and called 911. He gave all the necessary information to the emergency personnel, including Zach’s age. He then called his mother at work to let her know what was going on. After about 10 minutes with no emergency crew there, AJ called again and then ran downstairs to meet the crew.
Since AJ’s dad had to take his car with Bryce to the hospital, AJ rode with Zach in the ambulance. He answered questions for the paramedics and helped comfort Zach during the ride. Meanwhile, his mother met his father with Bryce at the hospital. While his parents stayed with Zach, AJ cared for Bryce.
“The paramedics were greatly impressed with AJ’s calmness and ability to work in an emergency situation and focus on the right thing to do,” said Nelson Mesick, Committee Chairman for Troop 135. “When he was asked how he was able to show the strength and courage during this emergency, he said that the first aid training and merit badge that he received in Scouting was the difference.”
Recognition for bravery
Mesick and Scoutmaster Michael Pearson Sr. highly recommended AJ for the Council award.
“This action by him embodies the Spirit of Scouting that was originally set forth by Lord Baden Powell,” said Mesick.
AJ’s mother, Melissa Fulgham, said she is very proud of her son.
“It’s amazing for a 15-year-old to respond the way he did and stay calm. I’m so thankful the Boy Scout program has given him this knowledge of how to handle an emergency situation,” she said. “I just don’t know what we would have done without him being there.”
Real-life learning experience
AJ, now 17, is a senior at Polytech High School near Woodside. He credits his calm response to his training for the first aid merit badge and his experience at summer camp as a counselor’s assistant, helping to teach first aid.
“It came naturally. I wasn’t really thinking,” AJ said about his reaction after his brother’s seizure. He had never seen a person have a seizure before. “I knew what to do because of the training.”
How has the experience affected him?
“It’s given me more confidence,” said AJ. “You can never be sure of yourself until you’re in that situation, but now I know I can handle it.”
