Girl, 9, stops speeding car as mother falls unconscious
After getting lost, Alex said her mother started driving erratically — and she knew something was wrong with her
CBS - 6 WTV
FRANKFORT, Ill. — A young girl in Illinois is being called a hero for saving her mother and herself.
Alex Sheridan’s mother went into a diabetic shock while behind the wheel of her car, so the 9-year-old sprang into action.
It happened a week ago when Alex and her mom, Jennifer, were driving home from a basketball game. When her mother went into a diabetic shock, Alex reacted fast and saved them both.
Living with diabetes for years, Jennifer Sheridan said she knows when her body needs insulin.
But she didn’t know it last Friday when she and her daughter Alex planned to stop at for food close to their New Lenox home on the way back from her nephew’s basketball game.
After getting lost Alex said her mother started driving erratically — and she knew something was wrong with her.
Sheridan’s sugar levels had dropped dramatically, so when Alex’s father called to check on them, the crying and screaming girl told him what was happening.
When her mom swerved off the road near Laraway and Center in Frankfort, Alex quickly shut off the car and blocked the keys in the ignition. The car stopped before hitting a tree.
“I don’t even remember passing our house, and we ended up about 35 minutes away from our house maybe a little less 25,” Jennifer Sheridan said. “The next thing I knew I woke up in an ambulance.”
Police and emergency crews called Alex a hero. As a result, Alex got a day off from school Friday and went shopping with her parents.
Recently Jennifer Sheridan had an insulin pump put in, so hopefully this will never happen again.
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Robert Gift Tuesday, January 29, 2013 3:19:07 PM Those of us who have diabetics must be more careful.
She could have killed others or her daughter or herself.
No food in the car?
Never taught Alex what to do if something like this were to happen?
Wow. How irresponsible.
(Thank you, Alex, for stopping the car.) 
Taylor Sloan Tuesday, January 29, 2013 4:40:58 PM As a diabetic, Robert, you should be able to understand how unpredictable glucose levels can be no matter how tightly controlled you are. That's one of the reasons why diabetes is so hard to control. Since she's had diabetes for years, her body probably isn't as quick to signal glucose level fluctuations. It was a scary situation that thankfully didn't end in tragedy, and I wouldn't be so quick to fault the mother. I hope her having a pump makes life with the D a little better. And Alex, you go girl! Robert Gift Tuesday, January 29, 2013 5:18:25 PM Why no food in the vehicle? Ensure? A little honey bear? Candy bar.
I do not have diabetes so do not know the subtle signals.
But my friends who have diabetes say they know their bodies and their signals. Taylor Sloan Tuesday, January 29, 2013 6:55:53 PM I misunderstood you then, Robert. My apologies. I have been a Type 1 diabetic for over 10 years. I always keep food, oral glucose gel, and a glucagon pen with me. I also used to know what every sign from my body meant in terms of my glucose level. Just like everything else in our body, those signs change over time. Diabetes is constantly damaging our bodies. Organs, blood vessels, nerves, etc. so the subtle ques our body once produced to signify a hypoglycemic episode (for example) don't happen as quickly or even in the same manner as they once did. And just like any other disease process, diabetes affects everyone differently. What works for one doesn't work for all. I'm just glad that no one was injured from this experience. Robert Gift Friday, February 01, 2013 12:58:52 PM No apology necessary. I am merely referring to all of us and our various maladies.
My diabetic friends say they remian vigilant of signs indicating onset of hypoglycemia.
They do not let it progress to the point that they are a danger to others and themselves.
Likewise, the daughter should have been trained what to do. And rehearse it as needed. At her age, I would probably forget without necessary rehearsal.
Noelle Cunningham Pinkerton Wednesday, January 30, 2013 7:39:27 AM Our son had an insulin reaction that his doctor said probably was a result of the muscles slowly being depleted of glucose over a period of days. His blood sugars were in a good range and we were adjusting for the extra activity of the sport he was playing but he still had an insulin reaction that required the use of a shot of glucagon. We had thought he was in good control but the meter was not giving us all the facts. Having two children with Type 1 diabetes, we always have glucose, food or candy available, but this time it wasn't even an option because of how fast he went into a serious reaction. 
Wayland Slater Friday, February 01, 2013 12:49:41 PM Outstanding work, Alex. It's good that she knew what to do and didn't panic. Wish all relatives and friends of diabetics were that capable. 
