Move Over Superman: You've Got Nothing on These Kids

Local children demonstrate courage beyond their years

By Suzanne Fesmire Gibbons

Parents are known to be fierce protectors of their children, but once in awhile the tables are turned. Even the youngest children can surprise us with their presence of mind and capability in an emergency.


Holly Ambrose describes her son Michael, 11, as "sweet, intelligent, perceptive, and a great protector." Protecting is exactly what he did in spades just over two years ago. Michael, then 9, was home in Millis one evening with his mom and three-year-old brother Weston (who suffers from a rare form of dwarfism). His dad was working in Cambridge at the time. Holly was carrying Weston up their wooden stairs when she started to feel a loss of voluntary control in her feet and legs. This "jolt-like" sensation spread up her entire body, and she tried in vain to secure her footing for fear of dropping Weston. She collapsed on the stairs and the small child tumbled out of her arms. Michael immediately took charge, and made sure his brother was unhurt and put him in a safe place. "I had no idea what was going on, and I was worrying" said Michael.
 

With her muscles contracting violently from a seizure, Holly started to fall down the stairs. Michael gently pulled her by the legs to the bottom of the landing. "Even the dog panicked," he said. "I thought it was going to be the end of my mom." He had been taught to call 911 in an emergency, but before he reached the phone he noticed his mom's breathing becoming erratic. He quickly rolled her onto her stomach, turned her head to the side and gave her several back blows to expel what was obstructing her windpipe. To this day, Holly doesn't understand how he knew exactly what to do. Michael offers, "That just came to my mind automatically."
 

With her breathing under control, Michael then diverted his attention to place the call to 911. He gave his name, address, and the steps he took to help his mother. Simultaneously, he calmed down his brother who was crying and saying "Is mommy OK?" When help arrived, Michael was asked to go into the playroom for awhile so they could work. One of the EMTs found him kneeling by the sofa, praying to his Nana, to save his mom's life.
 

Holly recalls, "That moment was so unbelievably poignant because he never even met her; she died tragically after a car accident when I was five months pregnant with him." Eternally grateful for her son's heroics, Holly says, "I gave him life and he saved mine."

Michael's advice to other kids faced with an emergency is "Calm down, don't panic, and go for your instincts". All of us would do well to keep that in mind.
 

A Sister's Love

Marissa Plasse of Bridgewater was just 2 1/2 years old when she attended to her brother Dylan while he was having a seizure.
 

Dylan suffers from a mitochondrial disorder which results in many physical challenges, including developmental delays, lack of mobility and speech, and seizures. In an attempt to control the seizures, which numbered 20-40 per day, doctors implanted a Vagus Nerve Stimulator device in his chest. The family was given a special magnet and told to wave it over the device during his seizures, to offer an additional impulse and hopefully shorten the episode.
 

According to Marissa's mom, Mechelle, the little girl "knows her brother has needs and is different". She is also a keen observer, and was unfazed when Dylan would have a seizure, often stopping her play to gently pat his back or rub his arm. One day Dylan and Marissa were watching TV, with mom a few steps away and her back turned. Dylan began to have a seizure, unbeknownst to Mechelle, until she heard Marissa say, "You OK buddy?" Mechelle turned around to see little Marissa waving the magnet over Dylan's chest, and then telling him he would be alright.
 

Marissa is now 4 years old, and when asked about that day, she promptly retrieved the magnet, said it was "for Dylan's sheezurs", and demonstrated on her doll how to use it. Mechelle was both proud and very touched by her daughter's demonstration of awareness and love for her brother, and says, "That's just who she is."
 

Sometimes it takes two

Cathy Gilbertie Knipper recently reported in the Mansfield News about a 2-brother team who received citations from the deputy state fire marshal, and were nominated for the Young Heroes Award for their lifesaving actions. Kyle Rivet, 5 and his brother, Andrew Ducharme, 9 were home with their mom, Tammy Walden one evening this winter. Tammy wasn't feeling well, but arose from bed to get Kyle a drink. She then collapsed from a brain hemorrhage, the result of a vascular disorder in her brain. Andrew sprung into action, retrieving his mother's cell phone from downstairs.
 

He attempted to access his father's phone number, but couldn't, so little brother Kyle stepped in. "I just pushed 'Back.'" Kyle said. That piece of technical knowledge allowed them to reach their father, whom Tammy had last called on her cell phone. He instructed them to call 911 on the house phone, and he remained on the line to keep tabs on what was happening.
 

Andrew placed the emergency call, which was received by 911 dispatcher Albert Kulbok. Even though Andrew was a child, Kulbok said, "What struck me was, he was cool, calm, and collected." Inside, Andrew felt scared, but nonetheless stayed focused on helping his mom. He made sure the outside light was on so that the EMTs could find their way, and opened the door when they arrived moments later. He handed the cell phone to firefighter/EMT Ryan Palmeri, so he could speak with Tammy's husband.
 

Later on, Tammy awoke thankful in Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Kyle and Andrew are among 220 children statewide to have received the Young Heroes Award, which recognizes children for their brave actions involving emergency medical or fire rescues.
 

Suzanne Fesmire Gibbons is a mother and graduate student at Wheelock College, earning her master's degree in child development.