Kids Safety Network

Age 2 Boy Unconscious in Water. Dog Runs to Get Dad and Saves His Life

Hayley Malan

Parents are faced with the challenging task of handling their toddlers’ demands and big emotions.

Age 2 Boy Unconscious in Water. Dog Runs to Get Dad and Saves His Life

Though the demands and bold “no!” statements come out of a toddler’s mouth are not usually enjoyable moments, it is really a normal stage of development.
For parents David Kenney and Lisa Brockbank, the kisses demanded by their son and the answer “no” to questions was actually the best response they could have gotten considering the events that had happened prior. Sept. 5, 2015 is a date that they will never forget.

Kenney, Brockbank, and Alexander, their 2-year-old son, Alexander, visited a Nana Glen property in Australia which belonged to Jason and Joshua Cluff, friends of the family. Their 9-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, Leala, also came with the family to visit the Cluffs.

Leala ran up to Kenney soaking wet during the visit. The combination of her distressed disposition and decision to jump into cold water despite her usual reluctance caused major concerns. He took Leala’s warning and came across the worst sight a parent could ever see: his son was floating in the water of the dam facing-down.
Leala had clearly tried to jump in to rescue Alexander but was unsuccessful, so she ran to get help. Joshua Cluff’s CPR knowledge was fresh after just recently completing the training before this accident.

The unconscious toddler received CPR for 27 minutes. Brockbank was not on the property at the time of the incident, but the very ambulance headed to help her son blew past her. At the time, she had no idea they were heading to the same location. “I didn’t think it was my kid, I didn’t think it had anything to do with us and then I came to (see) a helicopter in the sky and the whole place just alive with police and ambulances and my son just lying there completely comatose.” Brockbank told the Coffs Coast Advocate.

The helicopter took Alexander to the hospital. The doctors told the parents that brain damage was likely — if he even survived, as his prognosis looked very grim.
Kenney and Brockbank were preparing for the worst, but the best possible outcome happened. After 48 hours, their toddler was cautiously brought out of his induced coma, and made a surprisingly quick recovery.

Brockbank shared the story on Facebook “Last but not least we need to thank our precious dog Leala, she went in the dam and then found David to alert him,” and concluded “Without her we wouldn’t have our little boy with us today, scotch fillets forever sweetheart.”
After Alexander woke from the coma, this toddler gave the doctor many classic — but this time welcome — “no” responses to questions and demanded kisses from his parents. Of course, they were happy to oblige his demands this time!

Ben Carpenter wasn’t like many 21-year-olds. He knew exactly what title he wanted, and it wasn’t about a job position.

Single Man Fulfills Dream Of Becoming A Dad By Adopting 4 Disabled Children

Carpenter wanted to be a father and had began the adoption process at the young age of 21. He attended a panel where votes determined whether or not he would move forward with the necessary recommendation.

On the Full Time Tired blog, Carpenter wrote a guest poster“I’d worked with children and adults with complex needs so I knew adopting children with additional needs was my niche…My mother remembers me as a little boy wanting to be a daddy”.

When he did not get the recommendation, tt felt like his “world crashed”. At 25, he was losing hope that he would ever be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a dad by adopting as a single man.

His social worker reminded him that he still had a chance with an overrule by the independent decision maker. Sure enough, Carpenter was approved!
He went on to adopt four children with disabilities. The British show “This Morning” invited the amazing family where Carpenter was labeled as “Britain’s Most Inspiring Single Dad.” And it is easy to see why he received that label. Now 33 years old, Carpenter went on to describe the various needs his children have during their television appearance.

He said, “Jack has autism and Ruby has such complex needs it would take me all day to explain them. Lily is profoundly deaf and Joseph has Down Syndrome,” according to Sunny Skyz.
Even though a single dad to “special children”, it hasn’t stopped him from having a social life. In fact, he’s “seen and done more things with the children than he would have done before adopting them.”as explained in his guest blog post.

Carpenter has had an overwhelmingly positive experience adopting children with disabilities, but he has made sure to comment that it is not for everybody. His patient and loving nature, in combine with the excitement from watching the children’s growth have contributed to who he is as a father today.

“I am not going to sugar-coat it because it’s not for the faint-hearted,” he told the Huddersfield Examiner. “You have to be 100% committed”.
The developmental improvements happening with the four children would amaze social workers and medical professionals alike. Of course, Carpenter feels like he is the lucky one whose dream came true as he raises his four well-loved children.

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