Back in February, seven-year-old Sydney Goodwin was staying with her grandmother, Karen Pifer, when something unthinkable happened.
"We ate, I took my medicine, we laid down to go to bed, and I figured I was fine," Pifer said. "I had had a long day and I laid down and went to sleep; they had a problem waking me up."
Pifer's heart rate was low and she was unresponsive. Thinking fast, Sydney dialed her mother first, and then made the decision to call 9-1-1. Paramedics eventually arrived and Pifer was transported to the hospital - all thanks to her granddaughter knowing what to do.
"I've taught her, my daughter has taught her, so she knew how to do it - she knew the address, she knew where I lived, everything," Pifer said. "I was amazed, I was like 'Oh my Lord!' This little girl is just so smart and amazing, I'm so proud of her."
After hearing this story, Doug LaRue, the EMS Manager for Lima Memorial Health System decided that Sydney's bravery should be recognized with the Life Saving Award.
"Her quick thinking really set the ball in motion in order for her grandma to be here and alive today without any neurological deficit - Sydney did a great job," LaRue said.
LaRue also took the opportunity to speak with the rest of Sydney's class to encourage conversations about what to do in an emergency. That's something that he says anyone, regardless of age, should be aware of, should something happen.
"It's never too young to call, and we need family, parents, friends, and grandparents to educate their children and their grandchildren on how to call 9-1-1 and when to call 9-1-1," LaRue said.
