The School Nurse Said I Was “Faking It”—Then My Heart Stopped in the Hallway

began compressions, counting out loud. Each compression was a shockwave through my body—pain radiating across my sternum, deep and profound. A teacher took over when her arms trembled with fatigue. Someone was on the phone with 911. A student stood at the edge filming with their phone, and I wanted to scream at them to stop, to give me dignity, but continue reading …