Mom suffered a seizure and her 3-year-old, who barely spoke, FaceTimed a friend and said 3 words that saved her
Toddlers and children are already keen on using devices and exercising their intelligent minds. Taking this to advantage and giving them some knowledge that can help during emergencies can be a boon. A mom named Shanetelle Woods recalled how her 3-year-old son, Cody, was able to use his knowledge to save her life, PEOPLE revealed. The mom was cooking when she experienced a sudden seizure and the little boy recalled what he knew to help in any possible way. His simple act saved the woman from a fatal episode.
Recounting the incident, Woods mentioned that she was cooking when she suddenly felt dizzy, according to ABC 7. She went into the living room and quickly sat on the couch to try and calm down, but was losing consciousness. The mom had reportedly been diagnosed with epilepsy. Mayo Clinic explained that the condition is one of the brain and causes recurring seizures, twitches and convulsions. While the cause can often be derived, in some cases, it is unknown how a person can suffer from the condition. Cody was aware of his mother’s condition, given that she had experienced over 20 seizures in the last couple of months.
Unfortunately, that day, he was home alone with his mom. When she started going through the episode, he knew what to do. Using his knowledge of how to call on the phone, the 3-year-old facetimed a neighbor and friend, Kaya. She initially thought Woods had made the call but when she saw that the woman went unconscious, she knew something was wrong. "Kaya, help mommy, help mommy," Cody said to her. "I panicked. I was crying and going through the emotions," Kaya said, after discovering that the FaceTime call was not one she was expecting.
The woman was able to take control of the situation and Woods was soon fine. “I was surprised but happy he knew what to do in that moment,” Kaya remarked. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office learned of the boy’s actions and decided to recognize his work by giving him the title of a junior deputy and a reward. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard shared an important message with parents and others. “It’s a good reminder for all parents that you should talk to your kids if something happens and what they would do in an emergency. Do they know how to dial 911 and only dial in an emergency? And this young man figured it out. The most important win of the day is that mom’s here,” he added.
As Woods battles her condition, she has a lot going on and requires support. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family to help with treatment and other finances. Sharing in the page’s description, the mom noted that she was extremely proud of her son. She added how the seizure could have been fatal and how it meant that Cody had saved her life. “I want to cry right now. He’s just my hero,” she said. So far, $180 has been raised and the mom hopes that generosity will come through. "Right now, I need support with medical bills, rent, groceries and transportation to get my children back and forth to school. Every day is a struggle and I am doing everything I can to keep my children safe and cared for,” she mentioned.