Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson, left, awards Anasia Clayton, 8 of Waldorf, the Charles County Citizen’s 911 Lifesaving Award Tuesday, Sept. 27 in La Plata.
La Plata, MD – When 8-year-old Anasia Clayton asked her mother to smell the roses presented to her by emergency services personnel Tuesday in La Plata, that touching moment rippled throughout the room. A touch of irony also marked that request.
If not for Anasia’s brave act, her mother might not be around to smell the roses at all.
“I’ve been a dispatcher for 10 years and I’ve talked to many a child on the phone,” said Charles County Dispatcher Ronald Lucas, who fielded the young girl’s 911 call Aug. 16.. “She is one of the most intelligent children I’ve ever encountered. As far as knowing everything that was going on, answering every question I shot at her, following instructions … she did great.”
The third grade student at T.C. Martin Elementary School in Waldorf told the dispatcher her mother was showing signs of a stroke. Anasia followed the instructions given over the phone by the control center operator until medical crews arrived, which ultimately saved her mother’s life.
When Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson [D-District 1] asked Anasia how she knew what to do, she said, “I was taught by my momma and my Nana.”
“She’s very smart,” Anasia’s mother, Janée Clayton said. “Last year, in second grade, she was reading at a fourth-grade level. She was also doing fourth-grade math. She was one of the top students in her class.
Anasia was awarded the Citizen’s 911 Lifesaving Award by the commissioners. Dispatcher Lucas and emergency personnel who assisted on the call, Paul Lenharr and Robert Steinen, were also honored.
“I am more than proud,” she added.
While Anasia was undoubtedly the star in that moment, it was her mother who ultimately beamed with pride.
“She and I have the best relationship ever,” Janée said. “You can only imagine what mom and an 8-year-old talk about. We talk about everything from different diseases and things you wouldn’t expect her to be interested in.
“She wrote her own book,” Janée said. “She stapled it together herself just like a real book. She likes to ride her bike and plays games. Loves games. She’s very competitive.”
The star herself had little to say, only that “I’m so excited.”
A lot of folks were excited for her.
“She’s the reason her mom is sitting in that chair right there,” Lucas said.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
