A Rock Springs, Wyoming, first grader saved his grandmother’s life this month by getting himself to school and reporting that his grandmother had “died.”
Fortunately, she wasn’t dead; just unconscious from low blood sugar.
But the boy’s straightforward announcement prompted school authorities to call emergency responders, which brought an ambulance to her house in time to give her aid.
Kimberly Gibson has Type 1 diabetes, she told Cowboy State Daily in a Monday interview. As early morning broke Dec. 19, her blood sugar had plunged to a dangerously low level while she slept, she said.
“I had treated myself once in the night, and it wasn’t enough,” Gibson said.
Her grandson Mason Rasmussen, over whom Gibson has guardianship, woke to the sound of his grandmother’s wake-up alarm. He walked into Gibson’s room and found her lying on the floor, she related from her later talks with the boy.
Gibson speculated that she was having a seizure in that moment.
Mason tried to set his grandmother up on a chair.
“I tried to blow air into your body, but that didn’t work,” he later told Gibson.
Then, a second alarm sounded. This one signaled that it was time to catch the bus.
Mason dressed himself — all by himself — and it showed.
He put on cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and cowboy boots with no socks despite the below-freezing temperatures.
Once the boy got to Stagecoach Elementary School his teacher, Caroline Pierpoint, knew something was off.
“The school noticed rather quickly he’s not dressed like he should be,” Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Detective Stephanie Cassidy told Cowboy State Daily. “They were like, normally he’s a very well-taken-care-of kid. Well-dressed and well-mannered.”
When addressed, Mason told his teacher, “My grandma’s home alone, and she died this morning,” said Gibson.
Pierpoint told the principal, who in turn called Sweetwater County Dispatch, the grandmother recalled.
The school also told Gibson’s husband, Cory Gibson, who was working at a power plant roughly an hour from home.
Cowboy State Daily could not reach Pierpoint for comment by publication time.
There’s A Snake In My Boot
First responders rushed to Gibson’s home.
Cassidy heard the commotion on the radio and took a look at the call nature. Knowing numerous personnel were going to help the grandmother, Cassidy — who is experienced in interviewing and working with children — figured she’d pay Mason a visit.
At that point, the detective still thought the boy’s grandmother was dead.
Mason walked into a cozy toy-strewn office to meet the detective. He was wearing his summer cowboy get-up, by then with socks his school gave him, and clutching a large, old-fashioned Woody doll with a pull-string speaker box.
“Hello,” said the boy, mildly.
Cassidy melted.
“You’re so brave, and so strong,” she told him. “And thank you for telling people (what happened).”
The detective continued with her gentle questioning and discussion for about five minutes, but then Deputy Ana Lindig, who was on scene, called Cassidy and told her that Gibson was alive and receiving care.
“I was like, ‘Oh thank God,’” Cassidy recalled.
She turned to the boy. “You know what, buddy, I think your grandma is going to be OK. She’s with an ambulance now.”
Cassidy noted the change in the boy’s expression from the early stage of grief back to elation, then shock.
“I couldn’t imagine the roller coaster he was on,” she told Cowboy State Daily.
Deputies Nathaniel Hull and Zachary Otte, Detective Stephanie Cassidy, Deputy Ana Lindig and Mason Rasmussen, receiving a sheriff's award for bravery at his grandmother's home. (Courtesy Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office) 
Rock Springs, Wyoming, first grader Mason Rasmussen saved his grandmother Kimberly Gibon this month by getting himself to school and reporting that his grandmother had “died.” Fortunately, she wasn’t dead and was just unconscious from low blood sugar. (Courtesy Kimberly Gibson)
For Bravery
Cassidy offered to get some food for Mason but he politely declined.
The detective knew she wasn’t as imposing as she could have been since she was not in full uniform, but experiences like these are still tough on kids, she said.
She later hatched the idea to put together a bravery award and goodie package for Mason.
“Just to say, ‘You did the right thing, and you were so brave, ultimately saving grandma’s life,’” said Cassidy. “Attach something positive to (the experience).”
Sweetwater County Deputy Jason Mower, the agency’s spokesman, elaborated in a Monday press release, saying the award was to recognize that the boy remained calm under pressure and told a trusted adult about the crisis he’d seen.
Cassidy and the deputies who had helped his grandmother went to Gibson’s house Friday and presented Mason with his bravery award.
“There’s something in him,” said Cassidy. “He’s a good boy.”
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
