TOWN CHEERS BOY HERO
Rockland 9-year-old calls police after younger sister collapses
A 9-year-old Rockland boy is being heralded as a hero by police, firefighters and his own school for quick action that may have saved his little sister’s life last month.
Joshua Joseph’s grandmother was giving his 6-year-old sister, Joanne, a bath while their parents were at work one Sunday last month when something terrifying happened: The girl suddenly collapsed, lost consciousness and began convulsing and foaming at the mouth.
“It was kind of scary,” the Rockland boy said Wednesday. “I saw my sister shaking. I didn’t know what was going to happen to her.”
Their grandmother, who speaks only Creole, was unable to call for help. So Joshua ran to the phone and called his father, who told him to do what they had discussed many times before: Call 911!
Joshua stayed on the phone with the dispatcher until EMTs arrived and rushed Joanne to South Shore Hospital, where doctors later told the children’s parents, Jonelle and Jonathan Joseph, that their daughter had suffered a febrile seizure, a convulsion caused by a high fever, often from an infection.
The seizures can occur in young children without a history of neurologic symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, and although the few minutes they typically last can seem like an eternity, they’re usually harmless, as the seizure was in Joanne’s case.
On Tuesday, Joshua was recognized as a “Rockland Hero” at an assembly in front of all the kids and teachers at R. Stewart Esten Elementary School, where Joshua is in the fourth grade.
“It felt pretty amazing,” said Joshua, who used to be so shy that his mother enrolled him in taekwondo to build his confidence. “I felt honored.”
Rockland fire Chief Scott Duffey and police Lt. Nicholas Zeoli shook Joshua’s hand at the assembly and presented him with plaques to commemorate his quick actions.
“What an inspiring message to show to all of our students, that if someone is in need of help, you jump into action and try your best to help,” Principal Marilyn Smith said in a statement. “We are all so proud of Joshua, and it was really great to see him be recognized for his actions.”
Jonelle Joseph said she and her husband had taught Joshua since he was about 5 years old what to do in case of an emergency, always hoping that he would never actually have to call 911.
“When we got home from the hospital with Joanne, he was asleep, but the next morning, he said he was really scared to call 911. He thought she was going to die,” his mother said. “I told him I was so proud of him.”
At the assembly, Joshua was “almost in tears,” she said. “He was overwhelmed that people took the time to notice what he did. He just couldn’t believe he could have such an impact on his sister’s life.”