An 8-year-old boy and his 6-year-old sister saved their grandfather’s life after he collapsed from a heart attack during bedtime story time in Delafield, Wisconsin.
We may never expect our kids to think and act like adults in a critical situation. But God gives wisdom and clarity to whomever He chooses, no matter the age. And on that January night in Wisconsin, He chose two younger siblings to step in to save their grandfather’s life.
On January 29, 75-year-old Jeff Beyer was babysitting Everett, 8, and Annemarie, 6. They had just settled in with their favorite book, ‘If You Go Down to the Woods Today,’ when Beyer stood up, said he felt dizzy and blacked out. The kids were scared. Of course they were scared. But they didn’t fall apart.
Everett grabbed his grandfather’s phone and called 911. “Hello, this is Everett. Um, our grandpa’s feeling really dizzy,” he told the dispatcher. He stayed on the line, answered every question, and handed the phone to his little sister when needed. Annemarie confirmed grandpa was breathing. She asked the dispatcher to please skip the sirens because she did not like them. And somewhere in the middle of all that, she put the dog in its crate so it wouldn’t get in the way.
She’s six.
Dispatcher Kate Hermann was floored. “These kids were incredible,” she said. “Honestly, they did a lot better than some of our adult callers.” That one stings a little. But good for them.
Beyer was rushed to the hospital. He had suffered a heart attack. He made it. “They saved my life,” he said.
Their mom, Lisa, gave credit to her own mother, who passed away just a year ago. She had always pushed her kids to memorize their home address and phone number. That habit, passed down through generations, is what made the difference that night.
Everett also gets it from Boy Scouts and his school’s AHA program. It all came together when it mattered most.
At a City Hall ceremony in Delafield, Police Chief Landon Nyren could barely hold back tears honoring these two.
We don’t need to be grown up, experienced, or exceptional to be used by God. We just need to be ready.
This story is a good reminder to teach our kids the basics early. Home address. How to dial 911. What to do when someone collapses. You never know whose life depends on it.
WATCH: Two Young Siblings Save Grandpa’s Life After He Suffers Heart Attack
