Daughter and father save man having diabetic attack; What's the most heroic thing you've done?

by Ashley A. Smith | The Flint Journal
Wednesday May 14, 2008, 2:41 PM

Katie Rausch | The Flint JournalWilliam Hoops (right) of Gaines Township was picking up his daughter Aubrey, 14, from school last Thursday when she noticed a man lying on the ground in his front yard in Clayton Township. She insisted they turn around and check on him. It turned out the man was diabetic, and his blood sugar had dipped dangerously low. They ended up helping save the man's life.

Speaking of heroes:

Feedback: What's the most heroic thing you've ever done or had done to you? Tell us in the comments area below.

SWARTZ CREEK, Michigan -- A week ago, Bill Wayne Holifield was a stranger to William Hoops and his daughter, Aubrey.

But a chance meeting has bonded them forever. And it saved Holifield's life.

Holifield suffered a diabetic attack May 8 while mowing his lawn. He was on the ground unconscious when Aubrey spotted him while riding home with her dad, Hoops.

"She said 'No, really dad I'm serious, you need to turn around and go back,'" Hoops said.

Hoops listened to her, and returned to Holifield's driveway.

"Sure enough there he was passed out," Hoops said. "He was unresponsive, but alive."

Katie Rausch | The Flint Journal
William and Aubrey Hoops

Hoops called 911, then answered Holifield's ringing phone. It was Holifield's wife, Debbie.

Debbie Holifield knew something was wrong when she heard Hoops' voice.

"I was nervous, but focused on what needed to be done," Debbie Holifield said. "And Mr. Hoops was wonderful."

Debbie instructed Hoops to go into their home and find her husband's sugar. Hoops followed Debbie's orders for mixing and injecting it.

"I told her that I've never given any type of injection and I had no idea what I was doing," Hoops said.

By the time the ambulance arrived, Holifield's blood sugar registered at 18, Debbie Holifield said.

"Not that many people survive that low of a sugar," Debbie said. "They literally saved his life. I have to say there aren't many people who would have done what they did."

She and a neighbor sent Hoops and his daughter flowers and gift certificates to Outback Steak House.

"It was my daughter's insistence," Hoops aid. "If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have stopped."

Reader comments on an earlier version of this article:

Posted by baddadbadbad on 05/14/08 at 11:45AM:
Its real nice to hear some people are still here in this world What a good job!!!! I wish I had the means to send them something but with gas prices and being sick I cant afford anything they should get a metal or something You go girl it will be real nice to have you part of the good world you go girl!!!! And dad!!!!

Posted by crackmeup2 on 05/14/08 at 1:09PM:
Having dealt with diabetic family members, I know how frightening low blood sugar can be. Glad this man got help and doing okay and that father and daughter did a wonderful job. But, please, everyone who has a diabetic family member, make sure you educate yourselves. I believe the paper is incorrect about injecting insulin. If he was having a low blood sugar attack, he needs sugar, not insulin. Blood sugar of 18. Wow. That man is extremely lucky.

Posted by brat1964 on 05/14/08 at 1:19PM:
What a great story!!!! GREAT JOB AUBREY!!!! There should be more story like this in the paper!!