Exhilaration even crossed the line from the phone to the eyes of Mary Guinot, who worked at the Emergency Information and Coordination Center in the Generalitat Valenciana (Cicu). She spoke with a calm, almost understated warmth, a fitting tone for someone who has spent years in a room where every second counts. The call came from a four-year-old Valencian girl who said there was something wrong with her mother and that she needed help. The message was stark: she wanted the world to know how well she had handled the moment, and perhaps how much her family could be helped by quick action. The account would later be carried by Levante-EMV from the Iberian Press group.
For Guinot, who has intermittently worked in the Emergency Information and Coordination Center since 2011, the intervention felt like a breath of fresh air. The immediate success was clear—the mother, a 32-year-old woman, recovered from an epileptic episode at home. Equally striking was the girl’s composure and clarity in describing her surroundings, her home, and the events unfolding in a time of great tension. This remarkable scene unfolded in Valencia and underscored how a child’s presence and awareness can calm a challenging medical situation that would have overwhelmed many adults. Guinot recalls, after years of demanding shifts, that encountering such a poised, intelligent young helper makes the demanding work worthwhile.
“Mom is very sick please come”
The 112 call came in last Monday at 9:30 p.m., signaling the Valencia emergency system, but this dispatch stood out because the recipient was a child. The nurse explained to this publication that the girl identified herself, mentioned her name, age, and that her mother could not speak, and that there was a problem. The request was simple and urgent: please hurry. Maria immediately knew that a SAMU team had to be sent to the address provided by the little girl. The child was visibly distressed yet managed to stay calm enough to guide responders to her home.
She remained composed, even as she sobbed. She was at home trying to assist her mother during a seizure. Guinot asked a few precise questions to uncover what was happening and, in turn, to help everyone stay focused. She inquired about whether the mother’s chest was rising and falling, whether the eyes were open, and the girl answered with increasing calm as the significance of the questions became clearer. This steadiness helped the medical team prepare before they arrived.
One of Guinot’s warmest memories from the event involved the arrival of the ambulance crew and the police who asked the little girl to open the door. The child hesitated, explaining that she was very short, but the nurse reassured her and noted how the girl managed the moment with a quiet resolve. She recalled being told not to worry because a neighbor would open the upstairs door, and that all the child needed to do was stay on the line and guide responders to safety. The sequence reinforced how crucial calm communication can be when the clock is ticking.
As the call continued, the mother gradually regained consciousness and could provide more information confirming the diagnosis of epilepsy. The teamwork that followed illustrated the real value of quick, coordinated action—medically, technically, and emotionally. The call itself became a vivid demonstration of how a child’s presence and voice can shape the course of an emergency, guiding responders with remarkable clarity.
Health education to know what to do
Many people grow nervous when help is on the way, especially during a real-time crisis that unfolds over the phone. Guinot notes that maintaining a steady line of questioning helps responders understand what is happening while the medical team is en route. The core reassurance is not only the physical arrival of professionals but also the confidence that the child’s information provides about the situation. The community benefits from knowing that a medical team is already moving in the direction indicated by the caller.
Guinot emphasizes a key takeaway: health education is essential, especially for young heroes who can influence outcomes. If children know their home address and understand when to call 911, lives can be saved. This is a principle Guinot believes should be taught not only at home but also in schools, where young minds are most impressionable and capable of action when seconds count. Emergency specialists are increasingly giving talks at schools to equip children with reliable tools for health emergencies. A simple mnemonic—“A nose, a mouth, and two eyes”—helps children remember the emergency number 112 when needed.