almost famous

Everybody has heard about me. There’s that teacher who’s son died and drowned. Oh, my poor friend from high school had a son that drowned. That’s so crazy, my ex-girlfriend had a son that died. The Manatee County EMS and staff at All Children’s knew who we were. You know that adorable little boy Ian, with the nice parents, he’s like that because he drowned. People in the front office of my daughter’s school look at us with sad eyes. I feel like there’s a neon sign over my head flashing “Handle With Care!” Every relationship in my life has suffered since the accident. People don’t know how to talk to me anymore. I’m the sad story on your Facebook page. And that’s fine-I hope it stays that way-that the story doesn’t come true for you.

I ask you to turn your pity into action. Get your kids in ISR (Infant Self-Rescue) lessons. Make sure they are wearing life jackets. Make a designated pool watcher at a party. Be the annoying person that insists your friends get a gate around their pool. I don’t think people understand how important this is to me. If there is one less family who doesn’t have to feel that way, then I’ve achieved my mission in life. I actually worked with clients who had a non-fatal drownings, knew the risks, and it still happened to me. Don’t become the mom everyone knows of because of tragedy.