New Yorker with Down syndrome honored for saving mother's life

From The Post-Journal in Jamestown, N.Y.:

A "hero's party" Oct. 2 at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena may do more than recognize the accomplishments of a local girl with Down syndrome who saved her mother's life.

Partygoer Mel Hindman of Celoron said it also shows people the disabled can do things others might not expect them to be able to do.

Just like Nancy Smith did on Aug. 8 when she was home alone with her mom, Cindy.

When Cindy's heart stopped. Nancy's quick thinking did not cease, as she called 911 and local firefighters arrived to help Cindy.

"If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here," said Cindy about her daughter's phone call.

"I want to tell her I love her and say thank you," said Cindy about why she held the hero's party.

She said Nancy's recall of dialing the emergency number she learned at school also proves "people with disabilities can do things people think they can't."

It is that message local firefighter Joe Priviterea hopes will get across as Nancy's life-saving call gets noticed.

"The point is teaching that mentally-handicapped and kids with disabilities (can) dial 911," he said at the party.

Priviterea said the disabled make up a large part of society and need to be taught to "get a chance to possibly save somebody's life," just like Nancy did.

He said during emergencies, it is easy to get confused, so it "takes that extra-ordinary measure to save lives."

"It shows the disabled are capable of learning to do this," said Kathy Hoyt, an aide at Chautauqua Lake Central School, which Nancy attended. First, the community must teach how to save those lives. She recalled Ashville and Chautauqua firefighters doing so during fire prevention weeks at the school Nancy attended.

It was a lesson that paid off for Cindy, when Nancy recalled what she learned and put it to use to save her mom's life.

Priviterea said Friday he not only thought highly of Nancy, but, also that her efforts were recognized. He said he would like to see the disabled get such attention more often.

"(There's) a lot more to these people than what others see," he said, adding he hopes the public will give the disabled a chance. Just look at how difficult it can be just to get them access to public buildings, he said. If given the chance, however, he said the disabled can make strides others can't imagine.

Just look at Nancy.

Not only did she get a medal during Friday's hero's party held for her, but she has also won one in baseball; she participates in Special Olympics bowling and on the Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association's Sled Hockey team.

Bob Vaughn, who helps with the sled hockey team, visited the party. He said Nancy could use her disability as an excuse to sit home, instead choosing to get out. That alone could make her a hero, but she did more.

"Any time you save a life, I think you're a hero," Vaughn said.

Many at Nancy's party thought so, especially her mom, who got her a medal and a cake, both of which spelled out how she is her mom's hero.