Saint Paul’s senior Phoenix Bigler went into sudden cardiac arrest while riding his bike in downtown Covington this summer.
Now, after more than a month of intensive care, he is recovering at Touro Rehabilitation Center, attempting to piece memories back together and regain gross motor functions such as eating, communicating, and walking.
Saint Paul’s Seniors TJ Baggett and Spencer Naquin posing with Bigler during Mardi Gras
On July 2, 2023, Bigler and his father were working on one of their project cars when they decided to take a break. As was normal, Bigler took a ride on his bike, likely to get a sno-ball from a local stand.
Bigler would frequently take a shortcut through the alleyway behind the Southern Hotel as a precaution to avoid the major roads.
This time seemed to be no different; however, security cameras show Bigler suddenly slump over and crash behind the Southern, where he lay for an extended period of time with his heart stopped.
Once Bigler was rescued by the Fire EMS, led by Dr. Nick Salerno, St. Tammany Health System’s Emergency Department was able to restart his heart, restoring oxygen to his brain after more than 12 minutes without it.
Bigler was then airlifted to Ochsner in New Orleans and placed in their Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on life support with a ventilator and medications keeping him alive until his body was ready to regulate his vitals.
Bigler was recently relocated to a Touro Rehab Center in New Orleans with his body functioning independently. This news inspired hope in all who heard. Saint Paul’s Marching Wolves Director Andrew Moran reflected on Bigler’s impact on both the Marching Wolves and Saint Paul’s as a whole. “His personality and ability to always make you smile is not easy to replicate. The hole his absence has created will not be easily filled. His kindness, personality, and talent truly set him apart.”
The Bigler family poses joyfully as Bigler shows promise in his recovery.
According to healthcare professionals, the most detrimental aspect of cardiac arrest is the lack of blood flow to the brain, starving it of oxygen. Hypoxia of the brain, also referred to as “anoxic brain injury,” can lead to the death of brain tissue and, thus, memory loss. This issue would be the most pressing in Bigler’s recovery.
The Saint Paul’s community acted quickly after learning what happened to Bigler. His friends, family, and teachers wrote hundreds of letters for his parents to read to him. Moreover, thousands of prayers have been sent his way from Saint Paul’s, his church First Baptist Church Covington, and the Greater Covington area.
The support Bigler and his family have been receiving has not gone unnoticed. Ben Bigler, Bigler’s father, appreciates the impact the continued support has brought: “Phoenix is a miracle. What happened to him was a surprise to us, but not a surprise to God. I don’t claim to understand how or why God allowed this hard thing to happen to Phoenix; however, I trust that He has a good plan for him on this earth and that Phoenix’s time is not up. God’s healing power in Phoenix’s life is evidence that He hears the prayers of the family of faith and can turn the bleakest situation around. Your prayers are deeply meaningful to us and are making an impact. Keep fighting the good fight of faith alongside Phoenix!”
Bigler happily claps as the Saint Paul’s Marching Wolves play for him.
A group from the Saint Paul’s Marching Wolves traveled to Touro to visit Bigler, finally having the chance to see him. While there, the Marching Wolves played some of his favorite songs, and the band members were allowed to talk to him. This meant a lot to the Wolves, for they had gone so long without contact with Bigler.
Saint Paul’s senior Joshua Pichon expressed what this meant to him and the band: “It really shows how much of a brotherhood we have here at Saint Paul’s… No other school or band does something like that. We make special connections and relationships here that make us help and look out for one another, relationships that cannot be broken. I have only known Phoenix for 3-4 years, but, because of spending time with him and getting to know him, he really feels like a brother to me, a best friend. God bless and protect Phoenix.”
Please continue to keep Bigler in your thoughts and prayers.
Rubber bracelets are being sold to help minimize the cost of the hospital bills, with all proceeds benefiting the Biglers. Bracelets can be purchased from Mr. Moran for $5 each.
More information on Bigler’s situation can be found in this WWLTV news segment.
Published By: shawncooney2024
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