When Chase Thompson woke up on the morning of November 10, he had no idea his world was about to turn upside down. Just minutes later, the 9-year-old from Orofino, Idaho, would find himself in a life-or-death race to save his mom. With no phone, no immediate help, and no time to waste, Chase’s determination and quick thinking became the difference between heartbreak and hope.
Chase, who dreams of becoming a medic one day, was thrown into the kind of crisis even adults might struggle to navigate. His mother, Codi, suddenly fell out of bed in pain and asked him to call 911. But when Chase realized they didn’t have their phone, panic could have taken over. Instead, he leapt into action.
Related: Study shows a whopping 91% of children are unable to call 911
A test of bravery and ingenuity
With no phone in sight, Chase tried every option available. He attempted to call 911 through the family’s Alexa device and iPad, but neither worked. Realizing he needed help fast, Chase ran to his neighbors’ houses, knocking on several doors. When no one answered, the situation became even more urgent.
“It was just a quick rush,” Chase told The Idaho State Journal. “I was scared.”
But Chase wasn’t about to give up. Determined to save his mom, he sprinted four blocks to the nearest IGA grocery store, where he asked the employees to call an ambulance. Not only did they make the call, but they also brought Chase back home and stayed with Codi until paramedics arrived. Thanks to Chase’s persistence, Codi was rushed to the hospital just in time.
Related: This quick-thinking 6-year-old saved his grandma’s life after she fell
A mother’s close call
Doctors discovered that Codi had a blood clot in her brain that had caused a stroke. She was first treated at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to a hospital in Spokane, Washington, where she was admitted to the ICU.
“We just about lost her,” said Chase’s dad, Dean, in an interview with the Idaho State Journal. “He had quite an ordeal to get help to his mama.”
Though her condition was critical, Codi is now recovering and conscious, and her family is counting their blessings. Dean credits Chase’s quick thinking with saving his mom’s life.
“I’m probably the proudest father on the face of the earth right now,” he told the Idaho State Journal.
A young hero with big dreams
Even as his mom recovered in the hospital, Chase’s resilience shone through. The two were able to share a tearful FaceTime call after her airlift, where Chase reassured her with the simplest, yet most powerful words: “Hi, I love you.”
After the ordeal, Chase returned to his regular activities—a schedule packed with wrestling, football, baseball, and motocross championships. But his heart is set on a goal that feels especially fitting now: Chase dreams of becoming a medic for Life Flight someday, inspired by the team that helped save his mom.
A lesson in love and determination
Chase’s story is a testament to the courage kids can summon when it matters most. In moments of crisis, their ability to act out of love and determination is nothing short of extraordinary. Chase didn’t just save his mom’s life—he showed us all how even the youngest among us can rise to the occasion.
As Codi continues to recover, her family is grateful for her health and for Chase’s bravery. It’s moments like this that remind us of the strength within our kids, and how they’re capable of so much more than we sometimes realize.
And for Chase? He’s just getting started. Because heroes don’t wait until they’re grown—they simply answer the call when they’re needed most.
