HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-1994 Proclamation II (A) 1. Special Recognition of Jennifer Sills for saving her Grandmother's life AGENDA 10-18-94
Ocoee Item II A 1
a
.000
protium tion
IKttIIW P:
WHEREAS, Jennifer Sills is by nature a helpful and considerate nine year
old; and
WHFREAS, recently her grandmother, Mrs. Grace Knepp, suffered a
heart attack while Jennifer was visiting in Crystal River; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer displayed remarkable composure and emotional
control when faced with a challenging situation; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer remembered to dial 911 and remain on the line
giving directions to paramedics so they could find the correct
address; and
WHEREAS, in so doing Jennifer saved her grandmother's life and such
an act of heroism should not go unheralded;
OPrPfIIPP: I, S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, Florida,
do hereby proclaim special recognition for
JENNIFER SILLS, HOMETOWN HEROINE
in the City of Ocoee, and I encourage all citizens to follow the example set by
this personable nine year old by remembering to keep cool and in control and
dial 911 for emergency situations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto have set my hand and caused the Seal
of the City of Ocoee, Florida to be affixed this 18th day of October, 1994.
S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
i3T
•a`!` ,^"_'f ;1 'j .ice'1;
• `
Jennifer Sills,8,kept cool and made the right call
when grandmother Grace Knepp of Crystal River
suffered a heart attack. _
• 8-year-old's�
calm helps save
grandma 's life - �
•When her grandmother suffers a heart
attack,Jennifer Sills helps her inside,MIN
911 and stays on the line until help arrives.
By MARY ANN KOSLASKY
Time s.11 war
CRYSTAL RIVER — Grace Knepp has 5 acres
outside Crystal River.and"I take care of it all."It's hard
work,but she enjoys it.especially when 8-year-old grand- f
daughter Jennifer Sills is around to lend a hand. 1
On July 29,Jennifer did more than just help her
grandmother do yard work.She helped save her life. 1
"We'd been out there about two to three hours 1
working,trimming the moss out of the trees that grow
over my little garden,"said Mrs.Knepp,59."I had been
hurting most of the morning, but I just passed it off.I I
thought it was because of the work we were doing."- _I
When Mrs Knepp had trouble breathing and the pain
got sharper,she asked Jennifer to bring her a drink_"I r
thought maybe it was from the heat,"said Mrs.Knepp.
By the time Jennifer returned to the garden from the ,
house.Mrs.Knepp was hanging onto the garden gate"for
dear life."She was having a heart attack. <
Jennifer helped her into the house. "I don't re-- <
member much after that,except listening to her call 911," t
said Mrs.Knepp. t
What amazed her was Jennifer's composure while
talking to a 911 operator."She did such a beautiful job..•1
She gave them the address and a description of where we
live."Though frightened,Jennifer stayed on the line until <
paramedics.arrived.She was.able to give detailed dirm t
tions because-"I've been here-a lot and I know-the--I
address,"she said."The lady on the phone was nice."
Jennifer's mother,Cathy Sills of Ocoee,was thankful
that her•daughter was visiting Mrs. Knepp."Mom-is
hasirally'isolated out here.If she would have been here by i;n
herself,she probably would have died,"Sills said.'"I'm <
really proud of(Jennifer).I probably couldn't do as well."
Paramedics took Mrs. Knepp to Citrus Memorial
Hospital.Later she was transferred to Munroe Regional <
Medical Center in Ocala,where she remained until Friday.
She is now home recuperating.
Usually a vivacious,outgoing youngster,Jennifer is I
shy when talking about her accomplishment.
Did she call 911 because of what she had seen on
television?"I don't know."Was she afraid?"Yes." 1
Does she think she saved her grandmother's life?"I ,
don't know."Is she a hero?"I don't know."
Actually,she thinks it's much ado about nothing."I t
don't know what the big deal is,"Jennifer said. I
On Tuesday,Jennifer will turn 9.Her eyes lit up when I
her mother suggested that they would take her and a few
friends to Chuck E. Cheese's during the weekend to '
celebrate. i
After all, at age 9, you have to keep things in
perspective.
THE REGION of possessing and n