In response to the recent news coverage of Shellie Ross twittering about her son's fall into the pool and subsequent death, I want to convey a few messages to our JADES followers.
First, Shellie Ross deserves support, sympathy, compassion and love during this very difficult time for her and her family. Her personal reaction is irrelevant. Many parents during crisis reach out via telephone to their families, or church communities, or friends - that fact that Shellie's primary support community was available via Twitter - or Facebook, or MySpace, etc.. - shouldn't be of issue at all. Remember, everyone grieves differently and there should be no judgment placed on personal avenues to garner support.
The fact is that drowning remains the second leading cause of accidental child death to children in the United States. And studies have shown that most child drownings occur during a very short lapse in supervision - usually while a parent or caregiver is engaged in routing household activities. In fact, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in almost 9 out of 10 child drowning deaths. Yet, parental surveys have shown that the high majority of parents DO believe they supervise their children enough to prevent injury. It is this belief that needs to change. If parents believed that there IS risk, and that a drowning CAN happen to their children, it would help motivate parents to take preventative actions, such as adding more layers of protection around pools and spas.
If we could only harness all the energy and attention this "Twitter" issue is receiving, and redirect that energy towards preventing the next tragedy, we actually might make some significant progress. Help us redirect the attention back to where it belongs - Drowning IS Preventable and Layers of Protection can help save lives.
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I agree. Anyone in this position, such as myself, understands how quickly these events happen. Living through grief has taught me to not judge others. So many people are quick to blame. Instead of criticizing this mom people should be saying "how do we stop this from happening to another child". When my son was hospitalized I was on the phone asking everyone to pray. I needed to know that people knew what was happening and I wanted someone to tell me it was going to be okay. Maybe if there had been twitter I would have reached out that way. We don't know how we are going to behave in a situation until it happens, but I have learned that people who are ignorant speak the loudest.
ReplyDeleteI most definitley agree. Pools can be very dangerous even fatal unfortunately and thats why there MUST be layers of protection in every home. I started an organization and are working with others to do something about it. My website is www.stopalldrowning.org. WE CAN PREVENT THIS!
ReplyDeleteIt takes just a matter of seconds for this type of death to happen, I know, I was also right there. The owner's of the home had very little protection, but there were four adults in the house. We should not be judgemental, but try to educate others so this does not happen to their children.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. No one has the right to say how our reactions or grief is 'wrong'. There is no text book to say how a persons mind or body reacts. Both myself and my husbands reactions were very different. I was hysterical he immediately went into police "mode", after all 22 years in the service he knew what was about to happen with all the questions. I was home alone too and I had no help. I couldnt function I jsut sat there on the floor after she was taken by ambulance services and screamed banging my head on the floor,meanwhile my other child was screaming his head off in his high chair. I had worked on Hannah for 15 mins I was controlled and yelling at her to breath asking for any miracle I could.
ReplyDeleteDrowning prevention always receives the negative media and the 'blame' game isnt helpful either. Ive written part of my first book and I have condensed it in parts for others to read. its on my blog.
Juliana Im with you and the others in here Drowning is preventable and the more voices that speak on behalf of our angels the better and even louder.
Our website in Australia is www.hannahsfoundation.org.au I do hope to speak in your country one day about drowning prevention and have national laws in your country too, after all its the goal of many and many voices will make it happen.