A mother from Charlotte, North Carolina, had a really important message for parents everywhere. She wants parents to understand how crucial it is to prepare their children for emergencies. This message came after a terrifying incident when she choked on some food and had to rely on her own kids to save her.
Her name is Lindsay Smith, and on a typical Monday, she was home alone with her three sons, Hunter (8 years old), Michael (7 years old), and Abe (5 years old). Lindsay began choking on a small piece of bacon. She’s had neck surgeries recently, and this choking was happening more often. But here’s the thing: it had never happened when there was no other adult around to help her.
Choking is a scary situation because you can’t talk or call for help when it’s happening. Lindsay couldn’t breathe, and she knew she had only about a minute to do something before she passed out. She had her phone with her, so she quickly dialed 911 (that’s the emergency number). She also showed the phone to Abe, her 5-year-old, so he could understand that she needed help urgently.
Now, Lindsay’s 8-year-old son, Hunter, has some health issues. Because of that, their whole family had learned important skills like first aid and CPR (that stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Lindsay’s 11-year-old daughter, Hannah, also knew how to do these things. So, they were prepared for emergencies.
Lindsay believes that it’s very important for kids to know how to call 911 when there’s an emergency. She thinks kids shouldn’t be scared to do it. It’s a skill that can save lives.
Just before she gave her phone to Abe, Lindsay said a quick prayer for help. And guess what? She got just a tiny bit of air, which allowed her to cough and breathe again. This was a big relief for her and her family.
This scary experience made Lindsay realize something important. She’d been teaching her kids how to handle emergencies for a while, but she never thought they would have to call 911 for her. It was a wake-up call.
Lindsay believes that any child over the age of three should feel comfortable calling 911 for help. She also says that now, when many parents are spending more time with their kids due to things like remote learning, it’s the perfect time to teach them these important skills. Kids should learn how to call 911, know their home address, know their parents’ phone numbers, and learn what to do in emergencies.
After Lindsay shared her story, many parents got inspired. They started teaching their kids how to call 911 using different devices like phones, Alexa, and Siri. Lindsay knows that some parents might be worried about teaching these things because they don’t want their kids to ever have to use them. But she wants to make it clear that it’s not scary; it’s empowering, and it keeps families safe.
During those terrifying moments when Lindsay couldn’t breathe and her 5-year-old was scared and worried about her, Lindsay found peace in knowing that her kids were prepared and not frightened. She hopes that by sharing her story, other parents will also equip their kids with this basic skill that can save lives.
In the end, Lindsay is thankful to Jesus and the protection she received from a him. She hopes her story inspires other parents to ensure their children have these essential life skills that have saved lives and will continue to do so.
