Earlier this year, Mr. Williams suffered from cardiac arrest while exercising in the school’s weight room. Luckily, due to the quick and heroic actions of Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Andreozzi and Ms. Pokora he was brought back to life until paramedics arrived. Following the nearly fatal experience, Mr. Williams had a heart procedure and spent only 5 days in the hospital, returning to work just 4 weeks after incident.

While he is not at the physical fitness he is used to, he has been completely okayed by doctors to resume physical activity, work, etc.

In order to be cleared, Williams had to pass many exams and tests such as a stress test. He contributes his extremely fast recovery to his healthy lifestyle that he has maintained since a young age saying, “Because of my work out ethic, I run almost daily and I take care of myself, I eat very very healthy for a long time… I was able to recover so quickly.”

As the cardiac arrest was genetic and not a result of poor health choices, Mr. Williams has no concerns of such an incident reoccurring. He was very eager to come back to work and complete an early recovery.

While the event was a traumatic one, Williams has stated that he personally feels disconnected from it all as he has no recollection of what happened. He just knows what happened from what others have told him. He was however, amazed at the amount of cards, fruit baskets, flowers, and phone calls that people sent to him out of concern.

In a sense, he does not believe what happened to him, and simply wants to return to running at his best again. One outcome out of the whole situation however, has been that he no longer fears death.

He continues to go to rehab Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

He would like to thank the teachers that saved him Mr. Lombardi, Mr. Andreozzi, and Ms. Pokora who kept him alive, his wife that has been very supportive, and everyone that has wished him a fast recovery.

Through his experience he wants everyone to understand that in order to live a healthy life, it is a lifestyle change, not just a brief diet or occasional exercise.

He would like to thank everyone for all their outpouring love and support, it was very helpful to see it all.