‘Our Little Hero’: Washington County boy recognized for helping mom during emergency
Waylon Hayes, left, smiles as he looks at the medal he received Monday during a meeting of American Legion Auxiliary Post 495 in Belpre for his efforts to help his mother, Hailey Hayes, right, when she had a seizure in the spring. Waylon called 911 and multiple family members and calmly gave information to first responders. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Waylon Hayes shows off the medal he received from the American Legion Auxiliary and its Post 495 in Belpre on Monday for his efforts this past spring to help his mother when she suffered a seizure. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Waylon Hayes, left, poses for a photo with the medal and Youth Hero Award certificate he received from the American Legion Auxiliary and its Post 495 in Belpre on Monday at Belpre Congregational Church. Post Secretary Flo Harpold holds the certificate. Waylon was nominated for the award for his calm reaction and notification of 911 and family members when his mother, Hailey, had a seizure this past spring. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Waylon Hayes, left, smiles as he looks at the medal he received Monday during a meeting of American Legion Auxiliary Post 495 in Belpre for his efforts to help his mother, Hailey Hayes, right, when she had a seizure in the spring. Waylon called 911 and multiple family members and calmly gave information to first responders. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Waylon Hayes shows off the medal he received from the American Legion Auxiliary and its Post 495 in Belpre on Monday for his efforts this past spring to help his mother when she suffered a seizure. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Waylon Hayes, left, poses for a photo with the medal and Youth Hero Award certificate he received from the American Legion Auxiliary and its Post 495 in Belpre on Monday at Belpre Congregational Church. Post Secretary Flo Harpold holds the certificate. Waylon was nominated for the award for his calm reaction and notification of 911 and family members when his mother, Hailey, had a seizure this past spring. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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BELPRE -- A son's calm efforts to help his mother when she experienced a seizure earlier this year resulted in national recognition from the American Legion Auxiliary.
Waylon Hayes, 7, of Belpre, was presented with the organization's Youth Hero Award Monday night during a meeting of the Auxiliary's Post 495 at Belpre Congregational Church.
Post Secretary Flo Harpold said local groups can nominate someone for the award but acceptance is not guaranteed. It must be approved by the national headquarters in Indianapolis.
"We're very proud of you Waylon," said Harpold, who referred to him as "our little hero."
Waylon's mom, Hailey Hayes, had an epileptic seizure last spring, when he was still 6. She said she warned Waylon it was about to happen and gave him her phone, but didn't get out all her instructions before she was no longer able to communicate.
Waylon nevertheless swung into action, calling 911 and contacting multiple family members.
"He just went through my whole contacts list," Hayes said.
She's gone over what to do if she has a seizure with her children multiple times.
"This was just something that they had to learn, sadly," she said.
And calling 911 in an emergency was something Waylon heard about as a student at Warren Elementary.
"I learned at school," he said.
When EMTs arrived at their home in Fleming, where they lived at the time, Waylon told them they had three dogs but they were all friendly.
Among the relatives he contacted was his grandmother, Darcy Carr.
"He was calm, and he explained everything," she said Monday. "Being that age and staying that calm - most adults can't do that."
Hayes said that even as someone who suffers seizures herself, she probably wouldn't have reacted as well as Waylon did if she had been in his position.
"I was surprised at the fact that it was handled so well," she said.