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Noele,
15, has been named the 2007 Safe Sitter® of the Year for using
the abdominal thrusts she learned in Safe Sitter® to save the
life of her four-year-old sister, Mackenzie, who was choking.
Noele had taken Safe Sitter® four years earlier at North
Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi.
While babysitting Mackenzie, Noele left the room to get a
drink to go along with her breakfast when she heard Mackenzie
coughing. “By the time I got back, Mackenzie had stopped
coughing and acted like she was gagging,” recalls Noele. “She
could not talk. Her face was turning red and she put her hands
on her throat. I made her stand up, got behind her, and did the
Heimlich like I learned in class! The food popped out and
Mackenzie started crying. It was not until afterwards that I
realized how scared I really was — I just did it! Then I called
my mom!”
Noele’s mother, a nurse, knew immediately that the
situation was serious when she heard Noele’s voice. “Her voice
was shaking. She said, ‘Mackenzie choked but it’s OK now. I
handled it.’ I don’t know what would have happened if Noele
hadn't know what to do. There's no way I could have gotten
home in time!"
The oldest of four girls, Noele’s mother had insisted that
she take Safe Sitter® when she was eleven. “I did not want to
take it at all! I thought that I didn’t need it,” said Noele.
“But once I was in class, I learned a lot and really liked the
folder! Now, I’m really thankful that I did!”
When she’s not babysitting her younger sisters, Noele likes
to hang out with her friends and read. “I’ll read any book I
can get my hands on!”
Her mom said that Noele and Mackenzie have always had a
special bond. “They are together a lot. Mackenzie’s first word
was Noele’s name. And now, the girls have another reason to
feel that special closeness!”
Safe Sitter® congratulates Noele for recognizing the signs
of choking, doing abdominal thrusts quickly and accurately, and
calling for help — all while remembering to stay calm and
provide comfort!
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