DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) – In the wake of a heartbreaking tragedy, a local registered nurse is stepping up to help young parents better manage emergency situations involving their children.

Barakah Ford, Douglas mother said, “God, don’t take my baby.”

She tragically lost her 6-month-old, Mason Stephens, in his sleep when something blocked his airway, possibly caused by acid reflux.

The Medical Institute of South Georgia is offering free CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) classes to equip parents with essential life-saving skills.

Dr. Tracy McClelland, “When I heard about the young mother losing her baby, I knew right then so I came up with the free community cpr/bls class for young parents but anyone can come to that,” President and Co-Founder Medical Institute of South Georgia said.

McClelland started the medical institute of Georgia 19 years ago to train medical professionals and educate her community.

Mason’s mother said, “I actually took the cpr class before so I know cpr but I couldn’t think to do cpr at the time I just was trying to get somebody to help my baby.”

The classes, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., aim to teach parents how to handle critical situations such as choking, aspiration, breathing issues, and poison intake. Attendees will receive hands-on practice but will not be issued certification cards. The goal is to provide valuable knowledge that could make a life-or-death difference in an emergency.

McClelland said, “All these essential basic things. I’m going to do my best to keep it elementary so that an 8 year old could learn what we’re going to teach and be able to implement it, if it was needed.”

The class is open to all, but participants must register to attend. These free sessions will be hosted at the Medical Institute of South Georgia, located at 810 North College Ave in Douglas, Ga.

For more information or to register, contact the Medical Institute directly.

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