Her mother and grandmother were preparing for 9-year-old Lexie’s birthday party when a sudden shriek made them stop everything and rush to find the girl. Lexie, who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak, was shrieking and pointing at the back door from her wheelchair.
Lexie’s grandmother, Nancy Comeau-Drisdelle, was the first to notice the absence of Lexie’s little brother, Leeland. After rushing outside, she quickly located the 1-year-old at the rim of the pool and carried him to safety. After coughing up some water and a precautionary trip to the hospital, the 1-year-old survived completely unharmed.
“I hugged Lexie, I cried, and I still thank her every day, because honestly, in that matter, two seconds makes a huge difference,” her mother said.
Lexie has cerebral palsy. She let out a loud scream, alerting her Mom and grandmother that her baby brother had opened the patio door and fallen in the pool. She's being called a hero for saving his life. #Halifax@globalhalifaxpic.twitter.com/33IjoqFKm3
— Natasha Pace (@NatashaPace) July 4, 2018
“The scary thing is,” her mother said, “He opened the door and closed it behind him, and he had never opened that patio door before.”
Lexie has now been recognized for her life-saving actions by the Halifax Regional Police and will soon be honored by city hall.
This bright, beautiful little girl has a surprising story to share. She may live with cerebral palsy, but it didn’t hold her back from saving her brothers life. Lexie’s story tonight on @CTV_Liveat5pic.twitter.com/m8Be8vK0Cc
— Heather Butts (@HeatherButtsCTV) July 3, 2018
Her grandmother said, “You don’t need to be able to walk and talk and have all your senses. You can still make yourself heard, and you can still help. And yes, she did save his life.” Lexie’s heroic deed has since garnered praise on social media with many echoing her grandmother’s sentiments: never underestimate someone’s contributions because of a disability.
Just shows we should never underestimate someone’s abilities based on appearances or our possibly erroneous assumptions https://t.co/2eM5bsc3BN
— C Campbell (@campbell_c3284) July 4, 2018
She's a #Hero This quick-thinking girl saved her brother's life! Well done Lexie! https://t.co/NlNMJmRwXg
— Nicolette Eus (@NicoletteEus) July 3, 2018
Read more:
Cerebral palsy hasn’t stopped this guy from his dream job at a baseball stadium
And today we celebrate...