Melody Brown-Peyton
The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.
Teaching kids what to do in case of an emergency paid off for the family of 60-year-old Arbella Younger-Williams.
Last Friday began like any other day for Younger-Williams as she set out to do her daily routine of taking her two-mile afternoon walk.
During her stroll, Younger-Williams said she began to feel unwell and decided to return home. “My head began to hurt and my right leg felt like I had no feeling in it,” she said.
After returning home, Younger-Williams decided to lie on the sofa as she waited for her 8-year-old grandson Ira Younger to come home from school.
She said her grandson, who she describes as sweet, intelligent and curious, arrived home just after 3 p.m. and asked for something to eat. Though she still wasn’t feeling well, she got up to make him something to eat.
While in the kitchen, Younger-Williams passed out and hit her head on the floor.
Ira, a third-grade student at Cliffdale Elementary School, called his mother, who told him to call 911. He was able to tell the dispatcher exactly what happened when he called, Younger-Williams said she later learned.
“I was told my grandson was able to provide the dispatcher with my full name, age, along with my address and was able to give detailed information on what had taken place,” she said.
Younger-Williams said she was suffering from a seizure and was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
Younger-Williams said what happened to her shows the importance of teaching young children what to do in case of an emergency. The actions of her grandson last week saved her life, she said, and kisses and hugs from her grandson are more special than ever now.
“I’m so thankful that my grandson was there for me,” Younger-Williams said.
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©2019 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)