West Van hero mom who rescued drowning teen recognized by Autism Canada

A West Vancouver mother hailed as a hero for rescuing a teen who was swept out to sea off West Vancouver’s Dundarave Beach a year ago had an emotional meeting with the boy and his parents this week as she accepted an award from Autism Canada for her actions.

Emilyn Golden, 35, said she hadn’t seen the teen she rescued since the day in September 2022 when she dove into the cold ocean and battled a strong current to save him.

Meeting the North Vancouver parents of the teen at the ceremony was an emotional moment Golden said.

“It’s emotional for his parents and for me,” she said, adding the teen’s mother and father gave her a beautiful traditional gift from Korea.

Golden said as a parent, she has a lot of respect for the work the family does with their autistic son, who is non-verbal.

Golden was presented Tuesday with the inaugural Sachs Family Award from Autism Canada, intended to recognize people who have contributed outstandingly to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for those on the autism spectrum.

Award recognizes contributions to autism community

“Emilyn Golden’s actions reflect the values of this award, exhibiting exceptional courage, empathy, and dedication,” the organization said in a press statement.

Golden’s “quick thinking, bravery, and resilience undeniably saved the young boy’s life and showed an incredible commitment to her community.”

Golden was at Dundarave Beach with her two young children on Sept. 9, 2022 when she heard people screaming nearby. When she was told a boy with autism who didn’t swim well had been swept out into the inlet, Golden didn’t hesitate to act, jumping into the cold ocean to go after him.

At the time, there was a strong current and the boy was already about 200 metres out to sea. But Golden said she knew she was a strong swimmer and was afraid the boy could die if someone didn’t reach him soon.

Not acting was 'not something I even thought about'

Not acting was “not something I even thought about,” she said at the time.

When she finally caught up with him, she discovered the boy was a teenager, easily bigger than she was, who was fully clothed and who swam away from her in fear.

Golden said she drew on both her decades-old lifeguard training and her basic knowledge of autism to bring the boy to safety.

“It’s a very different situation…talking to someone who can’t communicate or absorb information in the same way,” she said. Golden said she was careful not to use a harsh tone of voice and not to grab the boy in a way he might find frightening.

Lifesaving, autism knowledge helped in rescue

“Having that basic knowledge helped me to be successful,” she said. “It’s important information for everyone to have.”

Golden attended the ceremony in Vancouver this week with her family, the teen’s family and members of the autism community.

The award is just the latest is a series of recognitions bestowed upon the West Van artist, which include an award from the Lifesaving Society of Canada, West Vancouver Police Department, District of West Vancouver and a medal from the prestigious Carnegie Hero Fund Foundation, given to civilians in the U.S. and Canada who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.