This 5 year needs an award

[frazzled]

This five year needs a serious trip to Amy's Ice Cream or the local equivalent.

How do you top being a hero at 5?

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/old-17 ... ticed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

5-year-old saves toddler from drowning
Comments 34 | Recommend 5
May 31, 2009 - 10:31 PM
Mona Moore
Daily News
DESTIN - Between her laps in the SummerPlace Inn pool, Riley Braden noticed an 18-month-old sinking to the bottom of it.

"She didn't have her floaties on and her parents weren't watching," said the 5-year-old Destin resident. "I saved her. I dashed and I pushed off the wall with my feet and went down and got her."

Riley rescued the little girl before the baby's family ever noticed she was missing from the step and inner tube where they had left her.

"It was awesome. It was amazing. I was so proud of her," said Mistelle Langan, manager of the inn and witness to the rescue.

"I looked over and she's coming up out of the water with the baby saying, ‘I've got the baby! I've got the baby!" Langan said.

The baby was coughing, but fine after Riley's quick response.

Langan had brought Riley and two of her friends to go swimming after their Daisy Girl Scout meeting. She described Riley as a sweet, well-mannered kid.

"She's actually really shy," Langan added. "Yet, just from this, I just saw a shot of confidence in her. She definitely understands how the world works and what it means to do your part."

Riley will turn six next weekend. She says she's still trying to decide what she wants. Riley's mom, Jaime Braden hoped to find a way to reward Riley for her bravery.

"She's the best kid that you could imagine; very smart, never much trouble and always eager to please," Jaime said. "She kinda plays the little mom when she's around younger kids."

Michelle DuVall, Riley's troop leader, was not surprised that a kid with such a big heart would want to help a drowning child. She was surprised that Riley could actually be of help in that situation.

"We're not talking about a 10-year-old or a teenager," DuVall said. "She's young and had such a quick reaction."

Riley has been swimming since she was 2 years old when Jaime took her to Emerald Coast Scuba for lessons.

Between Girl Scout pledges to help those in need and safety tips from her parents, Riley had all the lessons she needed before the May 16 rescue.

"I've always tried to teach her that if there's a bad situation, the first thing you shouldn't do is panic," Jaime said. "I was pleased to see she'd picked up on that. It was great to see that she could keep her wits about her in an emergency situation."

The mother of three said she was shocked and proud to hear what Riley had done.

Her only disappointment is that Riley may not receive her Girl Scout badge for the life-saving rescue.

After the incident, Langan did not get the names of the baby or her family, who were just visiting the area. Without their statements, the first-year Girl Scout cannot be officially recognized a hero.

Riley's not worried about any old badge. She rejected any rewards from the family the day of the rescue.

"She said ‘It's okay, I just did what I would've done for my sister.' I don't think Riley understands what a big deal it was," Langan said. "To her, it was just taking care of another human being."

[Purplehood]

This five year needs a serious trip to Amy's Ice Cream or the local equivalent.

How do you top being a hero at 5?

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/old-17 ... ticed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

5-year-old saves toddler from drowning
Comments 34 | Recommend 5
May 31, 2009 - 10:31 PM
Mona Moore
Daily News
DESTIN - Between her laps in the SummerPlace Inn pool, Riley Braden noticed an 18-month-old sinking to the bottom of it.

"She didn't have her floaties on and her parents weren't watching," said the 5-year-old Destin resident. "I saved her. I dashed and I pushed off the wall with my feet and went down and got her."

Riley rescued the little girl before the baby's family ever noticed she was missing from the step and inner tube where they had left her.

"It was awesome. It was amazing. I was so proud of her," said Mistelle Langan, manager of the inn and witness to the rescue.

"I looked over and she's coming up out of the water with the baby saying, ‘I've got the baby! I've got the baby!" Langan said.

The baby was coughing, but fine after Riley's quick response.

Langan had brought Riley and two of her friends to go swimming after their Daisy Girl Scout meeting. She described Riley as a sweet, well-mannered kid.

"She's actually really shy," Langan added. "Yet, just from this, I just saw a shot of confidence in her. She definitely understands how the world works and what it means to do your part."

Riley will turn six next weekend. She says she's still trying to decide what she wants. Riley's mom, Jaime Braden hoped to find a way to reward Riley for her bravery.

"She's the best kid that you could imagine; very smart, never much trouble and always eager to please," Jaime said. "She kinda plays the little mom when she's around younger kids."

Michelle DuVall, Riley's troop leader, was not surprised that a kid with such a big heart would want to help a drowning child. She was surprised that Riley could actually be of help in that situation.

"We're not talking about a 10-year-old or a teenager," DuVall said. "She's young and had such a quick reaction."

Riley has been swimming since she was 2 years old when Jaime took her to Emerald Coast Scuba for lessons.

Between Girl Scout pledges to help those in need and safety tips from her parents, Riley had all the lessons she needed before the May 16 rescue.

"I've always tried to teach her that if there's a bad situation, the first thing you shouldn't do is panic," Jaime said. "I was pleased to see she'd picked up on that. It was great to see that she could keep her wits about her in an emergency situation."

The mother of three said she was shocked and proud to hear what Riley had done.

Her only disappointment is that Riley may not receive her Girl Scout badge for the life-saving rescue.

After the incident, Langan did not get the names of the baby or her family, who were just visiting the area. Without their statements, the first-year Girl Scout cannot be officially recognized a hero.

Riley's not worried about any old badge. She rejected any rewards from the family the day of the rescue.

"She said ‘It's okay, I just did what I would've done for my sister.' I don't think Riley understands what a big deal it was," Langan said. "To her, it was just taking care of another human being."

If I were the toddler's parents I wouldn't want to be identified either. I would be appalled that I had left my 18-month child floating unattended in a pool.

[pbwalker]

If I were the toddler's parents I wouldn't want to be identified either. I would be appalled that I had left my 18-month child floating unattended in a pool.

My thoughts exactly! This 5 year old child showed more maturity than those 'parents'. I understand accidents happen, but when it comes to water, there are no second chances.

[bryang]

Purplehood
If I were the toddler's parents I wouldn't want to be identified either. I would be appalled that I had left my 18-month child floating unattended in a pool.

That was exactly what I was thinking as I read the article. They probably slipped out the back way while everyone was congratulating Riley.
However, little Miss Riley is definitely a hero!!

-geo