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Nine-Year-Old Girl With Cerebral Palsy Saves Brother From Drowning

Nine-Year-Old Girl With Cerebral Palsy Saves Brother From Drowning

Lexie received awards from Halifax Regional Police and her local legislative member​, and will also be honoured at Halifax City Hall

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

After her baby brother wandered outside and fell into the pool, a 9-year-old girl with cerebal palsy managed to alert her mum and grandmother to what had happened - having since been hailed a hero for saving his life.

Because of her condition, young Lexie is unable to speak, but she let out a life-saving shriek when she spotted what had happened to her 18-month-old brother Leeland, saving his life with her quick thinking.

Mum Kelly Jackson and grandmother Nancy Comeau-Dresdelle had been getting ready for Lexie's birthday party when Leeland came down from his nap.

"Mum brought him downstairs for me," Kelly, who lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, told CTV.

"We didn't communicate about, 'oh the door isn't locked'."

When Kelly went upstairs to get ready, Nancy turned around for just a few seconds - which was when Leeland managed to slip out of the back door.

"The scary thing is that he opened the door and closed it behind him, and he had never opened that patio door before," Jackson said.

CTV

Thankfully, Lexie realised what had happened and started shrieking to alert her grandmother.

"She's yelling and she's pointing at the door, and I realise Leeland's not with her," Nancy explained, with Jackson adding that they'd never heard her scream like that.

"I took off outside and I'm not seeing him," Nancy continued.

"I ran, and he's right by the edge (of the pool) and I took him out."

Leeland coughed up some water but his family said otherwise he seemed fine. He was taken to hospital just to be on the safe side, but his sister's swift response meant he was fortunately okay.

"I hugged her, I cried and I still thank her every day," Jackson said.

"Because honestly, in that matter, two seconds makes a huge difference."

A family friend also wrote on Twitter: "This is one of my best friend's kids and I could not be more proud of her. Lexie is SUCH an amazing kid and has such a bright mind. She deserves all the praise in the world for this."

Within two days of what happened, the family installed a fence and locked gate between the house and the pool.

CTV

Lexie also received awards from Halifax Regional Police and her local legislative member, and will be honoured at Halifax City Hall later this week.

"You don't need to be able to walk and talk," Nancy said.

"You can still make yourself heard and you can still help. And yes, she did save his life."

Nice one Lexie!

Featured Image Credit: CTV

Topics: World News, News, Inspirational, Community, Canada