PINNED IN BED: ANOTHER REASON TO HAVE LIFE ALERT

Yes, we realize this does not happen as often as other emergencies, but it can and does happen. We are referring to the case of a woman named Blanche Roberts pinned by her husband Fred's body while in bed, recently reported by the Associated Press. While this may happen to many spouses across the country as people shift in their sleep, in this case Fred was dead. Since Mr. Roberts was "a good-sized man" and "[h]er right leg was pinned" under him, Blanche was stuck for several days, unable to move.

Fortunately, her astute newspaper carrier Bruce Pitts decided something was wrong after he noticed "papers piled up outside" the home of Mrs. Roberts. He figured out a way into Blanche's room to investigate, after there was no answer to his doorbell rings. Pitts found the 84-year-old woman who, miraculously, "was conscious, talking... peaceful... not scared, " said Pitts. She only asked for water. Blanche was taken to a nearby hospital, and reportedly was "doing fine."

Thank God Mr. Pitts listened to his intuition that something wasn't right. If not for his attentive and caring nature, Blanche very likely would have died. But there is another lesson to learn from this story. If Blanche Roberts had been a Life Alert subscriber, the days alone under her husband and a possible fatal outcome could have been avoided. Mrs. Roberts could have been rescued, since she could have pushed her Life Alert help button (on the pendant that is worn around the neck or wrist). Then, whether she was able to talk to our dispatchers or not, help would have been sent to her immediately.

Dangerous situations come in many varieties - some mundane, some unusual. Life Alert can handle the vast majority of them, and in the process saves a life every 38 minutes, on average. Seniors (especially the elderly) should take advantage of this vital, lifesaving system.

To read the full AP story, please click this Detnews.com link: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080430/NATION/804300445/1361