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In Daviess County, Kentucky, a 14-year-old girl became her family’s hero through an extraordinary act of courage and quick thinking. Katie Harris, a single mother of four, says her daughter, Darby Jackson, saved her life during a terrifying medical emergency. It’s a story of resistance, family tiesand a teenager who rises to the challenge at the most critical moments.
Katie had just picked up her middle child from school when she started experiencing alarming symptoms. “I blacked out,” Harris recalls. “I remember saying, ‘Darby, something’s wrong.’ That’s the last thing I remember so clearly.” In no time, the roles between mother and daughter were reversed.
Harris suffered from ventricular tachycardia (VT), a rare and dangerous arrhythmia that caused her heart to beat uncontrollably. With her mother unable to act, Darby, a freshman at Daviess County High School, took action with a calmness far beyond her years.
“I was like, ‘If anyone comes after us, we’re just going to be stuck here,’” Darby explained. With clarity and determination, she steered the car to safety, her instincts guiding her through the chaos. She then called 911 and stayed on the line with the dispatcher and followed their instructions until paramedics arrived.
“My voice was shaking the whole time, but I tried to stay calm for her,” Darby said. Even in the midst of fear, Darby’s focus never wavered – a testament to her strength and love for her mother.
Harris later reflected on the severity of the situation and her daughter’s heroism. “If she hadn’t been in the car, I didn’t have enough physical strength to answer the phone, so my heart would have stopped. Immediately,” she said.
In the weeks since the incident, Harris has undergone numerous medical tests at the University of Kentucky, although doctors are still working to determine the cause of her condition. In the meantime, Darby’s siblings have also taken action and rallied behind their mother to keep the household running.
The family continues to travel regularly between Daviess County and Lexington for additional medical evaluations. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help cover medical costs and support the family during this challenging time.
‘They are my world. If anything, it’s what I’ve been fighting for all along,” Harris said of her children. This family’s love and resilience are what carries them through these uncertain days.
Related: From heartbreak to hope: How a mother defied medical expectations to welcome a ‘warrior’ baby boy
Darby’s heroic actions highlight the importance of teaching children what to do in a crisis. Here are some expert-backed tips to help your child feel prepared:
Teach them how to call 911
Show them how to make calls from a mobile phone or landline, even if it is locked.
Explain the importance of remaining calm and speaking clearly to the dispatcher.
Discuss your family’s emergency plan
Identify safe places to stop while driving and review key steps to take in common scenarios.
Practice these situations so they feel more confident under pressure.
Explain the basic first aid steps
Teach them to recognize serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or a fast heartbeat.
Show them how to check for responsiveness and what to say to emergency responders.
Give them the opportunity to trust their instincts
Reassure them that doing something is almost always better than doing nothing.
Praise their ability to remain calm and resourceful.
This incredible story, first reported by 14 Newsis not just about the courage of one girl. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of family bonds and the importance of preparing our children for emergencies – because sometimes they rise to the occasion in ways we never imagined.
Related: How a 9-year-old boy’s quick thinking saved his mother’s life
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