Blog Report

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

This summer "Be Tuff Don’t Huff"

With yet another summer season rapidly approaching, we here at ACE wanted to wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe summer! In addition, we invite you to share in the personal reflections of one of our active parent advocates Don Coates, who lost his beloved son to inhalants three years ago.

“Once again it is that time of year when all of our young people prepare for a summer full of happiness, joy, and plenty of activities that will keep them busy and safe from all the dangers we encounter. As you well know, summer break is a time when kids will find new things to do, try things that have no explanation, and with the economical crisis that we are all witness to must also understand there will not be as much allowance for these kids to get out and enjoy some of the things they would like. It can be depressing, the road less traveled; as even the wishes and dreams of a new road can create detours. As dreams of summer fun can be very pleasant, so too can the nightmares of the same season become our undoing.

I had a dream of life with you, and it all ended when the nightmare came true. In my heart he will always be, but inhalants took him far away from me, and when my day on earth is done, in heaven I will reunite with my lost son Brady Coates.”

Adorned with the words "Be tuff, don’t huff" and Brady´s picture, the truck serves as a warning to parents and teens that inhalants can kill. By displaying the truck throughout the community, hopefully curious onlookers will try to learn more about inhalants and make it part of their discussions.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think about you everyday. Hotel California reminds me of the long talks we used to have. You were an amazing young man Brady. I miss you so much.