Franklin Youngster Saves Grandmother’s Life
culture, madeline grayson adams, thompson's station,
Some quick thinking by a Franklin grade school girl saved the life of her grandmother – thanks to a maneuver that the little girl learned earlier that day from a TV show.
In March 2009, 10-year-old Madeline “Maddie” Grayson Adams was presented with the inaugural Roderick Award of Courage at the historic Roderick Farm in Thompson’s Station. When Maddie was 9 years old, she miraculously saved her choking grandmother’s life by performing the Heimlich maneuver.
Maddie had seen the technique earlier that day on an episode of the Disney Channel television show, The Suite Life of Zach & Cody.
“For a 9-year-old to keep her wits about her and pull this off – it’s amazing,” said Thompson’s Station Mayor Leon Heron when he handed Maddie a crystal trophy and a check for $1,000.
The Roderick Award of Courage is named for a courageous Civil War horse named Roderick that died at the 1863 Battle of Thompson’s Station. Despite having suffered three gunshot wounds, the horse bravely jumped a fence and galloped to his owner’s side. Today, the horse is buried at Roderick Farm.
“I can’t think of a better recipient for this inaugural recognition of courage than Maddie Adams,” Heron said.
In September 2008, Maddie’s grandmother, Jan Adams, was preparing dinner and talking on the phone to Maddie’s mother, Deanna. Jan took a bite of chicken that became lodged in her windpipe, making it impossible for her to breathe or speak.
Deanna immediately realized something was wrong and called a neighbor for help before dialing 911. Meanwhile, Jan began to black out.
Realizing she had to act quickly, Maddie came up behind Jan, put her arms around her grandmother’s midsection, and with her back against the kitchen counter for leverage, she delivered a few quick thrusts to Jan’s diaphragm. The chicken became dislodged and Jan was able to breathe again.
Story by Kevin Litwin
