A three-year-old boy from Michigan demonstrated remarkable bravery and quick thinking when he saved his mother’s life during a medical emergency at their home. Cody James Williams acted decisively after witnessing his mother, Shantell Woods, have a seizure while she was cooking on October 9.
Artist Shantell Woods has experienced an increase in the severity of her seizures in recent months. Her struggles are compounded by her day-to-day fight against diabetes and hypertension. On that fateful day, she started feeling lightheaded, sat down on the couch and then passed out. The seizure had become so bad that it did, in fact, threaten her life.
Cody James, who had witnessed his mother’s earlier seizures, was ready for this one. Quickly realizing what was at stake, he rushed to snatch Shantell’s phone and unlocked it with the phone’s face recognition feature just in time. In the face of unimaginable horror, he remained calm enough to reach out to a neighbor for assistance.
We’re grateful to the neighbor who acted immediately by calling first responders, who arrived quickly to give medical assistance to Shantell Woods. Because of Cody’s quick thinking and movement, paramedics were able to get the treatments she needed to her in time to prevent any permanent injury.
Cody’s bravery was acknowledged by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard at a press conference on October 14. He paid tribute to the little boy by undergoing an impromptu ceremony to symbolically make him a junior member of the sheriff’s office.
“I’m very proud of you – you saved my life. I could have been gone.” – Shantell Woods
Cody’s actions not only showed his maturity but signified the love between mother and son. To his credit, he received praise from his community and law enforcement officials on the ground. Then, to Bouchard’s delight, her son exclaimed, “Mom, we only just met him!” And then he added with a grin, “You were awesome, Mom.”
The circumstances leading up to and following this incident illustrate the systemic barriers that make life difficult for people like Shantell Woods. She juggles a multitude of chronic health conditions as she raises Cody and a 14-year-old daughter. These recent experiences, unfortunately, have been terrifying, with over 20 episodes in recent months.
Her community has shown up for their family, standing in the gap and supporting during this time of crisis. Cody James Williams defies grave health hazards with tireless spirit. His story is a powerful reminder to innovate with urgency and prevail against all odds.