Police Officer Treated to Tea Party By Girl he Rescued
Most of us have childhood memories that involve a tea party or two. Some of these might have centered around our dolls, dressed elegantly in formal clothing, or our stuffed animals – we smeared our mother’s lipstick across the lips of a tattered zebra before adorning it with a sunhat (one that would undoubtedly bring out its stripes).
Some of us probably loved tea parties, others might have participated in those of the involuntary type (i.e., Lipton forced upon us by older, bigger siblings). Still, whether we clinked our fake china in glee or begrudgingly, there is one tea party we can all drink in and smile.
Two-year-old Bexley Norvell of Rowlett, Texas is your typical toddler – one who likes to dress up in princess-like apparel and do what, perhaps, princesses do all day long: drink tea and look fancy. Recently, she used a tea party to celebrate the anniversary of one important day: the day her life was saved.
In July of 2015, Bexley was only 22 months old. Like many children her age, she put something in her mouth that she shouldn’t have: a small coin. She inadvertently swallowed it and began to choke. That’s when Corporal Patrick Ray appeared, ultimately assuring that this story had a happy ending.
Although Bexley’s mom was panicked, as any mom would be, and Bexley’s lips had grown blue, Officer Ray stayed calm – he cleared her throat, allowing her to breathe normally. The entire scene was captured on the body camera the officer was wearing, helping viewers to truly experience the horror of the moment and the relief that followed.
A year later, Bexley and her mother decided to thank Officer Ray be inviting him over for a tea party in the park. The two new friends ate Apple Jacks and Oreos. It was the first time Bexley had ever eaten an Oreo and, rumor is, she’s now a lifelong fan.
Thankfully, Bexley survived, but choking incidents are far too common in children under five. There is a silver lining, however – the vast majority, if not all, are highly preventable. Of course, they’ll still happen – anyone who says you can watch your child 24/7 has most likely never had children. But, a little proactivity can go a long way.
Knowing CPR is beneficial, not only for your children but also for any child in your care. Anyone who watches your children – babysitters and grandmas, for instance – should also know this important first aid. Toys, household items, and, yes, even coins are popular things for kids to choke on: if it’s small enough for a child to put it in their mouth, there’s a good chance they will.
However, the vast majority of nonfatal choking incidents are a result of food. For this reason, children under five should never eat unsupervised. It’s also a good idea to beware of the foods most likely to not go down so easily. Things like hot dogs are particularly hazardous, but anything with an odd texture is also dangerous.
Sticky candy, dry bread, gooey jam, and firm apple slices can be awkward to chew and harder to swallow. Finally, peanut butter is especially troublesome – its tendency to adhere to a child’s mouth makes it difficult to consume. Some doctors recommend reducing its use as a way of reducing its risk.
