Blain on the 5pm News

On Wednesday, September 19th, one of the most watched news stations in Oklahoma (KFOR) traveled to Sulphur High to interview Blain about his story.  Blain was asked questions about his experience, his outlook, and general questions about himself.  The aired story features Blain, the coach who saved his life, and a few classmates.  

If you would like to get a better idea of what Blain is like and hear his perspective on what happened to him, click the link below.  The link connects you to KFOR’s website, displaying a short video also accompanied by dialogue, which is featured below the link.  Enjoy!

 http://kfor.com/2012/09/19/sulphur-hs-coach-saves-students-life-during-heart-attack/#ooid=Rpbmp4NTpCOHN_T5Ak4O5UbkGqKhIAQz

SULPHUR, Okla. – A Sulphur High School basketball coach is being called a hero for saving the life of a student.

 Ironically, that student is a hero to his fellow students, overcoming a life-long illness.

It looked like a routine shoot-around at the Sulphur High School gym Wednesday afternoon involving senior Blain Robinson and varsity basketball coach Chase Todd.

But Robinson isn’t trying to make the team, he’s enjoying time with the man who has become so much more than a coach.

“I think God spoke to Coach after I hit the floor,” Robinson said. “And then God told Coach to give me another chance.”

After last Friday’s homecoming parade, Robinson was shooting baskets at the gym when he collapsed.

“All I remember is the room was getting so bright,” Robinson said. “Then the next thing I know, I had a blackout.”

Todd saw him hit the floor and rushed to his side.

Robinson’s face had turned blue.

“I was very scared,” Todd recalled. “I thought the worst.”

But the coach eventually revived Robinson with CPR before paramedics arrived soon after.

Later, at an Oklahoma City hospital, Robinson found out he had suffered a heart attack.

The coach most likely saved his life.

“I was glad Coach was there to save me,” Robinson said.

“I’m a Christian,” Todd said. “You know, I obviously think that God had a big part in it, but I’m just glad that he’s still here.”

At the hospital, Robinson had one request for Todd.

He wanted to be the team manager.

“So of course, I said yes,” Todd said with a smile.

After all, Robinson was already the school’s biggest cheerleader.

Despite being born with muscular dystrophy, Robinson is known for dancing for hours at Sulphur games.

“I’m kind of a popular guy in school,” Robinson said.

His classmates gave him high-fives Wednesday as he walked the school grounds.

His humility is another reason why his classmates love him.

“Heard you like had a heart attack,” one student remembered asking Robinson. “(He said) ‘Oh no, I’m good.’”

“Blain doesn’t care really what happened to him,” another student said. “He embraces all the good that happens to him.”

Five days after a heart attack, the most popular kid in school is back in class.

Now, these shoot-arounds with the coach will never be the same.

“I’ll always look at Blain different now,” Todd said.

When asked if he will still dance, Robinson didn’t hesitate, ”Yes.”

Doctors have told Robinson he will have to have more surgery on his heart.

But now, Robinson said a girl he likes at school has started giving him hugs in the hallway.

When asked what his first job as team manager will be, he said “probably laundry.”

#BTRforBlain

Blain Robinson at his first Big Time Rush concert, 2012

Meet Blain Robinson, a 17-year-old from Sulphur, Oklahoma.  Upon first meeting Blain, you might notice there is something quite different about him.  Blain was born withan under-average size heart and a disease called Myotonic Dystrophy, which the Yale School of Medicine describes as follows: 

“Myotonic dystrophy has effects throughout most of the body. Although chiefly characterized by muscle weakness and wasting there are associated cardiac, hormonal, respiratory, digestive and mental effects”

(read more at http://medicine.yale.edu/neurology/divisions/neuromuscular/md.aspx)

While Blain may have these conditions, you wouldn’t ever see him look at life in a negative way. He always has a positive and caring attitude.  He will do just about anything he can to help out or cheer up someone he loves, which is mostly everyone he knows.  Blain has been described by friends, family, and classmates as, among many things, “very caring”, having a “strong heart”,  “a loyal friend”, and that he is “always giving hugs”. It’s also been said of Blain that,  “His heart is physically small, but if it were to be judged by love, it’s immesurable”.

 This strong and loving heart proved true when Blain survived a traumatic experience on Friday, September 8, 2012.  Blain was at school when he collapsed on the floor, suffering a heart attack.  Thankfully, Blain survived by means of CPR, administered by the high school basketball coach.  Blain was then transported to OU Children’s Hospital where they discovered his heart was out of rhythm, among other issues.  A procedure was performed on Blain to set his heart into rhythm again.  Blain was released from the hospital on Sunday, September 16, 2012 after visits from loving family, friends, classmates, and teachers.  Although Blain was released, he may have to return to the hospital in the future to have another procedure done.  After all this, Blain retained his cheerful and caring attitude, just days after he was released.

Friends and classmates of Blain admire his strength and courage.  Because of this admiration, an idea sprouted a Twitter movement among those who know Blain:  #BTRforBlain. Among all the respectable qualities of Blain, one cannot describe him without mentioning his outrageous and ongoing allegiance to the boy-band Big Time Rush (BTR). 

This movement is an attempt at getting Big Time Rush to visit Blain, a truly huge fan, leaving him with a lifelong memory of one of his dreams come true.  This movement, ongoing since Saturday, September 15, 2012, has brought together a great amount of residents of Sulphur, and even going beyond that to other towns, counties, and even other states.

If you would like to join the movement to bring BTR to Oklahoma to visit Blain, one of their biggest and most loving fans, follow our account on Twitter (@BTRforBlain), and hash tag #BTRforBlain!  We want to get the attention of Big Time Rush, but despite constant efforts, one small Oklahoma county can’t do it alone. Your help is very much appreciated!