When his great-grandmother suffered a serious fall, a 3-year-old boy braved the darkness to help save her life
Strasburg, Colorado — When Stephanie Peabody started looking through the security footage taken from her garage camera in Strasburg, Colorado, she was trying to piece together what exactly happened that February night.
Eventually, she not only found the answer, but the surprise of a lifetime.
It all started when Stephanie and her husband left their 3-year-old son Bridger with his great-grandmother, 78-year-old Sharon Lewis.
Bridger and his grandmother were walking into the Peabody home when Lewis tripped and hit her head on a concrete step. She couldn't get up, she was bleeding profusely, and she had left her phone in the car.
First, they tried yelling for help from the neighbors, but that did not work.
The only solution was for Bridger to return to Lewis' car and get her phone.
"He (Bridger) said, 'GG, they don't hear us,'" Lewis recounted to CBS News. "I said, 'I know, so you're going to have to go get my phone.'"
It was nighttime, and the path back to the car wasn't lit. It was in total darkness.
"I was a lot afraid," Bridger told CBS News. "…It's too dark."
"The dark is just a frightful thing for a little guy," Lewis said.
That was when Bridger whispered to himself these three little words caught on security video: "Don't be afraid."
Up to that point, Bridger had never even opened a car door, let alone faced such a life-and-death challenge.
But he was able to courageously make his way to Lewis' car and open the door. The darkness was defeated.
"I was so proud of him," Peabody said of her son.
It's been about three months since that accident. Lewis has healed, and new lights were installed in the backyard. But perhaps, the most significant change has been the family's new fearless attitudes.
Peabody said the incident has inspired her to pursue a career in special education.
"It's something I've always wanted to do, but now it's like taking the chance to do it: 'Don't be afraid,'" Peabody said. "I have it tattooed on my arm."
It's a reminder for the child inside all of us. Sometimes, true courage is being afraid and charging into the darkness anyway.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wall Street Journal
17 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
I Toured America's Priciest Home for Sale
ASPEN, COLO.—It was a hot August morning when I visited the mansion, but in the great room—a vast entertaining space with 30-foot-high ceilings—there were roaring blazes in the towering stone fireplaces at either end. The billionaire owners of the roughly 18,500-square-foot house, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, weren't in town, but Lynda had carefully choreographed my visit, giving instructions as to how I should be led through the house for the most dramatic effect. We crossed the great room and walked through french doors onto a heated patio overlooking the 74-acre property. From there, the epic vista of the Continental Divide stretched out in front of me. I could see the outlines of distant paragliders swooping over Aspen Mountain. An infinity pool appeared to empty into the estate's private lake, where a swan-shaped paddle boat sat by a small dock.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
CMS Establishes New Billing Code for Breast Pump Replacement Valves Following Cimilre's Advocacy
BOSTON, August 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Symmetrical Health, LLC, doing business as Cimilre Breast Pumps, announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a new HCPCS Level II code A4288, "Valve for breast pump, replacement." This decision follows a formal request submitted by Cimilre, spearheaded by Jacqui Penda, CLC, to recognize replacement valves as essential breast pump components. Breast pump valves are critical to the performance and efficiency of personal breast pumps. They attach to the underside of the breast shield, maintaining suction and facilitating milk flow into the collection container. Manufacturers recommend replacing valves every 1–3 months, as worn valves compromise suction and efficiency, potentially impacting milk supply. Previously, replacement valves could only be billed under generic codes, creating barriers for coverage and leading many mothers to delay replacing them due to out-of-pocket costs. With this new HCPCS code, replacement valves are now clearly defined, allowing providers to more accurately bill for and supply essential equipment to breastfeeding families. "This decision by CMS is a meaningful win for mothers and families," said Jacqui Penda, CLC, of Symmetrical Health dba Cimilre Breast Pumps. "Valves are small but absolutely essential to the performance of a breast pump, and without them, breastfeeding outcomes can be jeopardized. By establishing a dedicated code, CMS has acknowledged the importance of proper pump maintenance and helped remove a barrier that too often discouraged families from replacing worn valves. This change ensures more parents will have access to the supplies they need to continue breastfeeding with confidence." This step brings replacement valves in line with other recognized breast pump parts such as bottle sets, breast shields, tubing, caps, and locking rings—reinforcing their importance to breastfeeding success. About Cimilre Breast Pumps Cimilre is dedicated to supporting parents on their breastfeeding journey by providing innovative breast pumps and accessories designed with comfort, performance, and accessibility in mind. With a focus on advancing maternal health through technology and advocacy, Cimilre continues to champion policies that make breastfeeding equipment more affordable and widely available. View source version on Contacts Tabatha YoungEmail: marketing@ Phone: 888-394-2422
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Video shows Owatonna Hy-Vee employee giving Heimlich to choking customer
Nineteen-year-old Owen Thurnau is being credited with saving a man's life after the Owatonna, Minnesota, Hy-Vee employee successfully gave the Heimlich maneuver to a choking man last month. It happened during a store event, as customers dined on food in the store parking lot. Thurnau says he heard a woman yelling for help and saw quickly that her dad was choking. "As soon as the audio cue went off, I ran immediately straight towards the man and started performing the Heimlich," Thurnau said. "It's straight instinct." Despite never being formally trained on how to administer the Heimlich maneuver, Thurnau says he had learned enough in school to know what to do. In a matter of seconds, the food was dislodged and the man was safe. "It was super scary — just running over — and it's like, 'Oh my goodness – this man is actually choking'. To have his life in my hands… It's something I hope I never have to do again, but I'm always ready to do it again if it ever happened," Thurnau said. The man, who is in his eighties, was able to leave under his own power. Thurnau went back to work. "Afterwards, it was kind of like nothing really happened. Once it was over, I kind of just went back to my shift," he said. Store manager Randy Ritts says he knows Thurnau is the type of employee who does not seek the spotlight, but he's making sure he gets credit for his lifesaving action. The store named Thurnau employee of the month and held a ceremony for him in front of family and coworkers. Thurnau says he's also gotten a letter from the company CEO and a memo about his lifesaving action went out to Hy-Vee's nearly 90,000 employees. "It's 100% about just caring for your neighbor. Always looking out for someone in need and doing the right thing when called upon. It takes a special type of person to react in those situations," Ritts said. "I think the big takeaway is to just always be prepared for anything, right? Always be willing to lend a helping hand. Even if you don't know what to do," Thurnau said.
