Homewood girl named ‘911 Hero’
By Nikki Arseneau Correspondent July 26, 2012 3:08PM
Ava Petrovic, 7, receives the 911 Hero award for calling paramedics when her mother became sick and unable to move. | Photo By Nikki Arseneau
Updated: August 30, 2012 6:03AM
When 7-year-old Ava Petrovic of Homewood woke up May 25, the biggest item on her “to-do” list was to enjoy an early dismissal day at school.
But as she was getting ready to leave for Willow Elementary School, her routine became anything but normal.
She walked into the kitchen to find her mother, Christina, in extreme pain. Christina, whose leg suddenly went numb, was sitting on a stool beginning to hyperventilate.
“She was crying real bad,” Ava said.
Ava said her mother yelled for her to call 911.
That’s when Ava sprang into action — picking up the phone and calmly stating to the dispatcher that her mom needed help.
“I heard her talking. She told them how old I was, our address ... and what exactly happened,” Christina, 35, said.
Christina, whose husband David had already left for work, was alone in the home with Ava and their 5-year-old son, Evan.
After Ava called 911, she proceeded to help dress her little brother. When she heard the sirens, she and Evan held hands and greeted the paramedics on the driveway.
“We took them and led them to where they were supposed to go,” Ava said.
Christina said Ava then called a neighbor who took her to school.
“When I got to school, I was freaking out,” Ava said.
She said she found out when school was over that her mom was OK and recovering from a pinched nerve.
She also learned how grateful her family was for her actions earlier that morning.
“They were so proud of me,” Ava said.
The Homewood Fire Department echoed the Petrovic’s praises.
Fire Chief Bob Grabowski honored Ava with the 911 Hero Award during a recent village board meeting.
“She remained very calm and showed bravery in the face of a very frightening situation, Grabowski said.
Ava said she was excited to receive the award, and she plans to put the certificate in a space close to her heart.
“I’m gong to put it in my special collection and keep it there,” Ava said.
