It was Thanksgiving in Maine, and 11-year-old Oakley Debbs was on vacation with his family. Oakley, a top student from West Palm Beach, Florida, was also a star athlete, even though he had asthma and food allergies.
For the holiday, his family had ordered a Thanksgiving basket full of treats. Oakley chose to have a piece of cake from the basket.
Tragically, something went wrong after he ate the cake, leading to a heartbreaking event. His family and friends are now working to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Despite his asthma and nut allergies, Oakley loved playing tennis, football, soccer, and even running marathons. His family remembers him as a “brave and strong warrior” who fought hard against his conditions.
On November 24, Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old, had a piece of pound cake that was left on the kitchen table where his family was staying in Maine. His mom, Merrill Debbs, said Oakley always checked labels to avoid nuts and didn’t see any warnings.
“He thought it was just a piece of cake,” his dad, Robert Debbs, explained. “But after he ate it, he mentioned it might have nuts.” Merrill agreed the cake had a nutty taste, which turned out to be walnut.
Merrill gave Oakley Benadryl, as they usually did for allergic reactions, and he said he felt fine. At that point, he only had a small hive on his lip.
But soon after, Oakley complained of chest pain and started vomiting. His parents called 911, but by the time the ambulance arrived ten minutes later, Oakley was blue. His airway had closed, and his heart had stopped.
I’m writing on behalf of Robert J. Debbs, Merrill Debbs, and Oakley’s twin sister, Olivia. It is with a heavy heart that I…
Posted by Tyler Debbs Squire on Saturday, November 26, 2016
The family struggled to accept Oakley’s tragic death and understand why he couldn’t be saved.
“I don’t think my beautiful, amazing son should have passed away,” Merrill said.
In response, the family started the Red Sneaker Foundation to teach people about anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. They chose red sneakers as a symbol because Oakley loved them, hoping to increase awareness about food allergies.
Posted by Red Sneakers For Oakley on Thursday, December 1, 2016
Experts recommend using epinephrine for even mild allergic reactions. Merrill said, “Oakley was a rock star, a good kid. I always knew he’d make a difference—just not after he passed away. That’s a big part of why we’re doing this.”
Please share this story to help raise awareness about food allergies and prevent future tragedies.
Restaurant refuses to take it down, they wanted to show men and women in uniform that they were valued, respected, and….
In recent years, law enforcement officers have faced increasingly complex and dangerous situations. Unfortunately, too many have been unfairIy targeted and attacked, and others have incorrectly assumed that all cops are bad or corrupt in some way.
However, one restaurant owner in Gallipolis, Ohio, wanted to show these men and women in uniform that they were valued, respected, and indispensable.
To express their unwavering gratitude for the daiIy sacrifices these courageous individuals make to keep our communities safe and secure, the restaurant displayed a sign in its window, which has garnered much attention.
This small gesture will fuel up any police officer before, during, or after their shifts, encouraging them even further to ensure peace and security on the streets.
Since the sign was placed on the window of KFC, it has caused quite a stir onIine, garnering an impressive number of likes and shares on Facebook. Customers aren’t the only ones who have noticed; store employees have also joined in on the conversation, expressing their agreement that all uniformed police officers should be served free daily.
The vast majority of people, particularly those in law enforcement, are pleased with this decision. However, some people believe it needs to be revised; they think it is unfair to include only the police force and have even gone so far as to call for all first responders to be included.
Even those like Ohio Going Blue’s administrator, a law enforcement officer himseIf, support such calls, claiming that they, too, should be a part of this great initiative. The officer’s statement was unequivocal: law enforcement deserves to be recognized and appreciated, and this specific instance demonstrated a restaurant’s gratitude and appreciation.
They should not expect anything to be free or even discounted, regardless of whether they are uniform. Many officers hold the same opinion: special treatment is not desired.
Understandably, other first responders would like to be recognized for their efforts and dedication, which are frequently overlooked or underappreciated. The officer confirmed this, stating that those individuals must also be recognized. It is a simple yet meaningful gesture made by establishments that acknowledge the significance of such roles in society.
Not only does recognizing law enforcement and other first responders demonstrate respect for them, but it also serves as a reminder that we should all celebrate those who put their lives in dan ger daily to protect our communities and us. Gratitude expressed through words or small acts of kindness can go a Iong way toward letting them know how much we appreciate their service – an action that all businesses should strive to incorporate into their culture.
KFC’s generous commitment to providing free meals to uniformed police officers daily is admirable and greatly appreciated. They will be rewarded with a hearty meal to fuel them for the long day ahead. This expression of gratitude honors the courageous dedication of these brave individuals who put their lives on the line to keep us safe and secure.
Leave a Reply