An 8-year-old boy from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is credited with saving his 20-month-old sister, Leila Dempsey, from suffocation.
The boy watched Nickelodeon’s “The Substitute,” in which wrestler and actor John Cena explains how to save a choking person.
The siblings were sitting in the same car with their dad getting a haircut when Lila choked on a chicken nugget.
“I was listening to music, and then I heard her choking.” According to Inside Edition, Jaxson said, “I looked to my left and saw my sister’s face was purple and red, so I patted her back and told my dad to pull over, and then I started patting her back and I took out a chicken nugget.”
Jackson Dempsey and sister Lila. (Courtesy of Kristen Durso)
Jackson says it was the TV show that taught him how to save lives.
Jackson told ABC, “The show is called The Replacements, and in the first episode, John Cena is on the show, and in the last episode, he shows how to save someone from choking.”
Jackson’s father, Matt Denmpsey, is proud and not at all surprised, saying he is used to seeing his son do amazing things.
Jackson Denmpsey and his sister Lila. (Courtesy of Kristen Durso)
“He amazes us every day with some of the things he says and does and how he acts. We are so lucky to have a kid like him and all that he does for his family, friends and sister. He’s a great brother.” Dad said.
He’s glad Jackson was there to save the day.
“If I had been alone and Jackson wasn’t around, I stopped and gave her a chicken nugget while I couldn’t hear her because she was choking. She wasn’t coughing or panicking. She just couldn’t catch her breath and wasn’t breathing.” Dempsey said, “Thank God Jackson was there, because without him, I don’t know if Lila would still be alive.”
Jackson, who wanted to be a firefighter, received a commendation from the mayor, including a recognition and a fire truck parade for his quick thinking.
“It made me special because I saved my sister’s life.” He said, then offered a suggestion to the other kids, “They should know the Heimlich maneuver so that if their sister chokes, they’ll know what to do and how to do CPR.”
John Cena was also quick to respond and posted a video message praising the young man.
“I heard a story about you and it really touched my heart,” he said in the Facebook video, “In a time of crisis, you acted bravely. In doing so, you saved your sister’s life. I commend you because the real heroes are those who act in times of crisis.”
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