It's easy to panic in a medical emergency, but 9-year-old Aleksandra Sheridan has shown she's cool enough to save her own life and her mother's.
Jennifer Sheridan, who has Type 1 Diabetes, was driving near Center and Laraway Roads in Frankfort. Her third grade daughter, a passenger in the car, was forced to act quickly when her mother's blood sugar dropped dangerously low and she passed out behind the wheel.
"We went off the road and I was screaming and crying," Aleksandra says of the incident. " We were still moving and we were about to hit a tree... I turned off the keys... then I fed her some chocolate bars so her sugar would get a little higher."
"We started heading towards home and that was the last I remember," her mother Jennifer explains. "I didn't go into a coma it's called a low blood sugar reaction... blood sugar drops very low, a lot symptoms, sweating, confusion... that's the point I was at."
"At one point she went through a stoplight and then at the next point she was going over 70 miles per hour," Alexandra recalls. "She slowed down once I told her to and we ended up going off the road."
Sheridan says Frankfort police were called by a passerby. As it turns out, this isn't the first time her daughter has come to the rescue.
"She started sitting on the floor and dripping sweat, I was seven, I had to call the ambulance for her," says the young girl.
This latest close call happened last Friday. Young Aleksandra showed us her reward for her heroic efforts including a golden duck.
"This is the golden duck award and they gave it to me," Aleksandra boasts. "They gave it to me for being a hero. Thank God that we didn't get hurt and we didn't get into an accident or hurt anyone else."
Aleksandra tells FOX 32 that when she grows up she plans to be a teacher, a doctor, and a paramedic.
As for Jennifer Sheridan, she says she will now administer her diabetes medicine via an insulin pump.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:18:43 GMT
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:42:49 GMT
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Twelve people have been charged with misdemeanor offenses after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic on North Michigan Avenue and elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:40:07 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:51:02 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:38 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:38:56 GMT
Clinton Shepherd, Pier Park Operations Manager, is trying to set a new world record for the longest time riding a Ferris Wheel. He was stationed at Navy Pier Thursday, preparing for this weekend's marathon event.
Clinton Shepherd, Pier Park Operations Manager, is trying to set a new world record for the longest time riding a Ferris Wheel. He was stationed at Navy Pier Thursday, preparing for this weekend's marathon event.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:20:38 GMT
Five people have been killed and at least 18 others wounded — including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition — in shootings across the city since Friday night.
Five people have been killed and at least 18 others wounded — including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition — in shootings across the city since Friday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:44:15 GMT
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 12:16 PM EDT2013-05-15 16:16:47 GMT
Most parents have fears about their children being near water, but what if your child could learn how to save themselves, no matter how young they are?
Most parents have fears about their children being near water, but what if your child could learn how to save themselves, no matter how young they are?
Wednesday, December 5 2012 1:30 PM EST2012-12-05 18:30:15 GMT
Chicago Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher will be out for three weeks and possibly the remainder of the season from a hamstring injury incurred from Sunday's game against Seattle, he told FOX 32 News.
Chicago Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher will be out for three weeks and possibly the remainder of the season from a hamstring injury incurred from Sunday's game against Seattle, he told FOX 32 News.
The senior culinary arts students at Simeon Career Academy came in third at the statewide cooking competition last year. As they work on the mouth-watering concoction they hope will place first this year, the dish itself is...
The senior culinary arts students at Simeon Career Academy came in third at the statewide cooking competition last year. As they work on the mouth-watering concoction they hope will place first this year, the dish itself is...
Since the Old Joliet Prison closed its doors in 2002, cameras crews have come to capture the compound for film, but FOX Chicago News went beyond the glamor and the wrought iron.
Since the Old Joliet Prison closed its doors in 2002, cameras crews have come to capture the compound for film, but FOX Chicago News went beyond the glamor and the wrought iron.
When you buy an internet security camera or webcam, it's probably for peace of mind -- to keep an eye on the house or make sure the kids are okay. But did you ever imagine that the camera you use to watch the house could be...
When you buy an internet security camera or webcam, it's probably for peace of mind -- to keep an eye on the house or make sure the kids are okay. But did you ever imagine that the camera you use to watch the house could be...
