8th grader saves mom's life with science lesson learned in school
8th grader saves mom's life with science lesson learned in school, A perfectly timed science lesson at school helped a Waukesha teen recognize her mother’s medical emergency and ultimately save her life.
Christa Murphy was having a stroke, and her 14-year-old daughter, Katie Murphy, recognized the symptoms and sprang into action. Katie had learned how to spot a stroke just two days earlier at school.
"And I thought it was kind of cool and weird that people's speech got mixed up (when they have a stroke),” Katie said.
Two days after the lesson, Katie would use what she learned.
“(I was) going through my daily routine when things became a little bit difficult that day,” Christa Murphy said.
She added that she was struggling with simple tasks such as putting toothpaste on her toothbrush She went to Katie for help.
“Her speech was all mixed up ... I was like, 'Maybe she's having a stroke,'" Katie said.
Katie called 911 and her mom was rushed to a hospital where doctors confirmed her diagnosis.
"They had said I had a stroke, which I could not believe at the age of 45 that that was happening," Christa Murphy said.
Katie may have learned the symptoms of a stroke at St. John's Lutheran School in Lannon, but other things other fell into place that made this happen. She was supposed to be at a sleepover the night before but didn't go.
The Murphys and teacher Beth Tomlin all believe this was no coincidence.
"I believe that the Lord had it all in his hands," Tomlin said. "He knew how everything was going to turn out, and there's no other way to put it ... was all God's doing."
Katie proved that paying attention in class pays off
"I'm extremely blessed to be sitting here today," Christa Murphy said.
She's feeling much better now. Doctors aren’t sure what caused her stroke, but she’s undergoing treatment to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
