Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can become dangerous in a matter of minutes, especially for individuals with diabetes.
But what happens when no adult is around to help? For one family in Berkshire, England, their two-year-old daughter had the answer.
‘Daddy, wake up’
The incident unfolded on May 5, when Ymmanuel Demegillo, 31, was alone at home with his daughter, Zab.
According to The Independent and Newsflare, Zab was trying to wake her father when she noticed something wasn’t right.
He was unusually still and unresponsive, a sign she’d been taught to recognise.
She knew what to do and did it
Home CCTV footage captured the emotional moment Zab repeatedly called out “Daddy” while hugging her father’s head.
When he eventually managed to mutter, “I’m hypo,” it triggered a response from the toddler that her parents had quietly prepared her for.
Knowing that her mother had already left for work, Zab didn’t panic.
She climbed down from the bed, walked to the living room, and rummaged through a drawer in the side table to retrieve a pill box containing glucose tablets.
‘She made me chew and swallow It’
This wasn’t a random guess. Her parents had taught her exactly what to do if her dad ever went into hypoglycemia.
Returning to the bedroom, Zab handed him the tablet and made sure he chewed and swallowed it.
“She climbed back to bed and made me chew and swallow it,” Ymmanuel later shared with Newsflare.
He added that she stayed by his side while he regained strength, calmly repeating, “When Daddy is hypo, give chocolates and sweets.”
How she was trained to save a life
Her calm actions were not accidental. Ymmanuel and his wife had made a conscious decision to involve Zab in understanding his condition.
We always tell Zab that Daddy is diabetic and sometimes goes hypo. We showed her where the glucose tablets are and explained what to do,” he said.
‘We’re so glad she remembered’
Reflecting on the moment, Ymmanuel expressed how amazed they were by her composure at just two years old.
We honestly never expected anything from it, but we’re so glad she remembered and had the presence of mind to do what needed to be done.”
He believes the experience is a powerful reminder of how much young children absorb from the world around them.
“If you want them to be kind, show kindness. If you want them to be responsible, let them see you follow through on commitments.”
Hypoglycemia, if left untreated, can cause serious symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, seizures, and even loss of consciousness.
For those living with diabetes, access to fast-acting glucose and immediate action can make all the difference.
Watch the full clip here:
