Lifesaver Caitlin mum’s true angel

IN mum Jennifer Libeaut’s eyes, daughter Caitlin is her personal angel. At just nine, Caitlin has come to her sick mum’s aid multiple times.

Pt. Cooks Nine -year-old Caitlin Libeaut (pictured) has been nominated for the child of courage award by her mother Jennifer. Jennifer has a lot of health issues and spends a lot of time in hospital but Caitlin never complains about her mum not being home or having to visit every day. Jennifer is a severe hypoglycemic. A couple of months ago Caitlin was off school ill and early in the afternoon her mum started to shake uncontrollably. Caitlin gave her mum jellybeans. She then drew up 20mls of 5% Glusose from a glass vile. She administrated it through Jennifer's stomach tube and then sat with her mum and rubbed her back. Caitlin has helped her mum through a few of these epsiodes since.

IN mum Jennifer Libeaut’s eyes, daughter Caitlin is her personal angel.

At just nine, Caitlin has come to her sick mum’s aid multiple times, providing crucial medical help in their Point Cook home.

Mrs Libeaut battles myriad illnesses including hypoglycaemia, and was shaking violently from a “hypo’’ attack last year when Caitlin was home.

The grade 4 student reacted calmly, taking the phone from her mum’s trembling hands and ringing her dad, before injecting glucose through her mother’s stomach tube.

When this didn’t work, she repeated the procedure, rubbing her mum’s back until help arrived.

“She was amazing. I was not with it but she knew what to do,’’ Mrs Libeaut said.

“If she hadn’t done what she’d done, I would’ve been in a coma.’’

The 39-year-old has been ill with a rare immune disorder, which affects most of her body’s organs, since Caitlin was born.

Mrs Libeaut says Caitlin gives her the strength to keep going — from simply holding her hand in hospital to helping her with her feeding tube.

But Caitlin downplays her efforts, simply describing life as being “full of surprises’’.

“I think I’m just used to it, I just go with it,’’ she says.

Mrs Libeaut nominated Caitlin for a 2014 Pride of Australia Medal.

To nominate an unsung hero, go to heraldsun.com.au/prideofaustralia