Three-year-old saves mom with 911 song
Categories: Toddlers, Preschoolers, Health & safety, Medical conditions, In the news
Teaching your child to call 9-1-1 in an emergency is an important part of house safety rules. For Jessica Eaves, 24, however, it was crucial that her child know how to contact help on her own. Jessica has a medical condition called vasovogal syncope, which can cause her to faint. Since her daughter Madelyn is only three, Jessica made up a song to teach her how to call for help on Jessica's Blackberry phone -- "9-1-1 green." That song made all the difference in the world last week when Jessica fainted and Madelyn was able to use the phone to call for an ambulance.
Madelyn called for help last year as well, when Jessica had taught her the song "green, green, green." By pushing the green button on the phone, Madelyn called the last number dialed and that adult called for help.
I taught my older daughter to use the phone two years ago. She knew exactly two phone numbers -- her grandma's and 9-1-1. But when we changed phones last year, it didn't occur to me that she wouldn't know how to use the new ones. It was a good reminder for me that reviewing that important lesson now and then is a good idea.
If you're getting ready to teach your child how to call 9-1-1, About.com has some great tips for teaching them what to do beyond just dialing the numbers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kerry 6-26-2008 @ 2:53PM
that is amazing!!! who knew u could teach a 3 yr. old a song for an emergency?
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Maggie 6-26-2008 @ 5:52PM
That's why some things really were better way back in "the day"...when I was young (now 61) we were taught to call for emergency help with a little jingle that went "When you're in a fix, dial 116" (that was the predecessor to 911) and even very young children had no problem remembering it.
ROBYN 6-26-2008 @ 3:09PM
DEAR SWEET LITTLE GIRL, YOU ARE A SWEETY-PIE!!! YOUR MOMMY IS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU FOR HER DAUGHTER!!! SHE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH AND REMEMBER SHE WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF YOU! .....WITH ;LOVE, THE SMITH FAMILY
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Kiana 6-26-2008 @ 3:20PM
I came across this article by mistake but i couldnt believe that this girl is the same age as me, has the SAME condition as me, and has a child the SAME age as i do!!
i never thought to teach my son how to help me because i thought he was too young, but i will definitely use these tips now. thanks!
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Zip 6-26-2008 @ 3:24PM
How does the SONG go? Maybe it is something that can be taught to all toddlers and young children to save lives. It could become a standard growing up song right along with the Barney stuff.
They should play it on the News Media and make it a download on CNN, etc. Since this lady CREATED the song, she can get royalties thru BMI everytime the song is used commercially. Just a thought.
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pbhj 6-26-2008 @ 4:03PM
WTFlip, so your thinking goes
1) this song could save lives
2) let's charge people to play
Presumably so that not too many people get saved?
Seriously??
DorkButton 6-26-2008 @ 4:03PM
All parents should have some method like that, because all kids need to know how to call 9-1-1. Well into middle school, my mother would still ask me what I would do if something happened to her and I needed to call 9-1-1, exactly what to say and do etc.
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jt 6-26-2008 @ 4:58PM
good for her...
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Gartha 6-26-2008 @ 5:43PM
Little Darling-A job Well Done!!!!
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Carolyn Krivit 6-26-2008 @ 6:23PM
NO ONE EVER DIED FROM PASSING OUT.......she fainted
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sara 6-26-2008 @ 7:12PM
Ya know passing out isn't the problem; it's what causes her to pass out and what can happen to a three year old while her/his mother is passed out. I think this is a wonderful story of human nature the way it should be, I would love to read news like this everyday.
tammy 8-24-2008 @ 4:30PM
Are you kidding me!! Nobody dies from fainting? Correct you are; however, by fainting and having an accident anyone can die, ie driving, walking and passing out only to strike one's head, etc... Syncope is a serious medical condition.
I had WPW syndrome resulting in syncope last year - it was discovered because I had an accident and ended up in the hospital for eight days - followed by surgery to correct the problem I had. Not veryone who has syncope can have a medical procedure to correct it. PS I lost my license for medical reasons.
SO....YES syncope can result in dying....... Where did you get your MD, PHd, etc... I would like to apply....
Debra Huntley 6-26-2008 @ 9:58PM
REAL NICE. HOW OLD ARE YOU?
OneLuckyFamily 6-26-2008 @ 6:26PM
Kids are smarter than adults give them credit for. We have three and they amaze me everyday!!!
I just love being their MOM.
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? 6-26-2008 @ 6:38PM
Wow you're all wack jobs!
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kim 6-26-2008 @ 6:49PM
What an amazing little girl,I'm sure her family is very proud.
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undrgrndgirl 6-26-2008 @ 7:25PM
when my kids were little i taught them their telephone # and address with a little ditty (as my grandmother would say)...fortunately they never had to use their singing skills...for whatever reason turning things you need to remember into a little song makes them easier to remember...
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Patricia 6-26-2008 @ 8:01PM
I think it's great. the mother must be so proud, I would be. I think this is something that other mother's, or grand parents of young kids need to know about. Now a days there are more older people raising there grand kids or even great grands and as we all get older health problems are coming in all shades and names. ie@ heart attacks, strokes ect.
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Jeanne 6-26-2008 @ 8:29PM
Good Girl----your mommy's Joy.
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hsiergirl 6-26-2008 @ 8:46PM
Maybe she shouldn't be allowed to be alone with her kid if her health prevents her from being safe doing so. Once maybe ok........ twice is a huge issue
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