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08 April 2010 By Robert Rachow
Josh is now officially a hero.
Four months after saving mum Mandy’s life at their Chapel St Leonards home, the young tearway has been awarded a bravery certificate from the National Health Service (NHS) Trust.
Presented the certificate in front of his classmates at Huttoft Primary School, Josh was lauded for being ‘exceptionally brave in exceptional circumstances’.
Despite his natural aversion to strangers, Josh knew to call a family friend and then assist ambulance officers when Mandy went into diabetic shock one night early last December.
The schoolboy clearly remembered instructions his mother had told him, to use the speed dial should there ever be a medical emergency.
“He was the only person in the house who could help and he did extremely well,” declared NHS Trust spokeswoman Mel Wright.
“Ambulance crew gave their instructions through the letterbox and once they reassured him who they were, he slid the keys through to them.”
The East Midlands Ambulance Service used the presentation to Josh as a way to remind other Huttoft students of the correct procedures to take in an emergency, including dialling 999.
Students were shown how to check if someone was breathing by monitoring movement in their ribcage and placing their hand near their face to feel for hot air.
Josh, who not only has autism, but also attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mild Tourette’s Syndrome, received an extra gift in the shape of a Para-Teddy, a paramedic teddy bear.
Last December the Shipman’s were the beneficiaries of outstanding generosity from the Skegness Rotary and Lions clubs, as well as the Alive and Kicking disability support group.
The organisations raised enough funds to send Josh to Lapland in Finland to complete his dream of visiting Santa Claus in his home country.
Source: http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/news/Josh-is-rewarded-for-his.6214501.jp