TV Show Helps 9-Year-Old Save Grandmother's Life - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A 9-year-old Franklin girls is hailed by her family and others as a hero for saving her grandmother's life.

Maddie Adams watched a television show in which someone performed the Heimlich Maneuver, a series of under-the-diaphragm abdominal thrusts to help a person who is choking. Later that day, she mimicked their movements to help her grandmother, Jan Adams.

"The phone rang and it was my daughter-in-law," Adams recalled.

She took a bite to eat while she was talking and the food became lodged in her throat.

"I just started gasping for breath and choking. I thought I'm going to die right now in front of these children," she said about Maddie and her younger brother.

Maddie jumped into action.

"Next thing I knew Maddie came around behind me and put her little arms around me and began to do the Heimlich Maneuver," she said.

"When I saw that she was choking and stuff I went behind her and I was like okay, I have to do this to save my grandma's life," she said.

Within seconds the youngster got her grandmother to breathe again.

"Never had an idea she would have the strength to do it. I was totally amazed," Adams said.

Maddie said she learned the technique from "The Suite Life of Zach and Code", a Disney Channel program.

Earlier that afternoon, she had watched an episode in which the characters performed the technique.

"I did this and I just kind of pulled really, really hard," she said, demonstrating with her arms. "That's how I did it."

"Well, I think she's pretty special and I'm very grateful," Adams said.

"She's always been special. She's even more special now," she said.

Maddie has been featured in news stories. She said she wants to be a doctor.

Adams said she plans to do something special for her. Maddie wants a trip to Disneyland and her grandmother said she just may get it.