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.
Jennifer Grey expresses her feelings about Patrick Swayze.
The iconic 1987 movie Dirty Dancing is a beloved classic that is nearly always at the top of people’s lists.
The film’s lead actor, the late Patrick Swayze, gained international recognition for his role in this beloved picture, and Jennifer Grey, who costarred with him, is still very much a part of its history.
Because she played “Baby” in Dirty Dancing, Jennifer Grey is well-known throughout the world. The narrative follows Baby and her family while they stay at a resort, highlighting her romantic encounter with Swayze’s disobedient dance teacher.
Many viewers have requested a sequel to this picture, which has quickly become a classic. Grey has only agreed to produce it—despite their demands—if a number of strict requirements are satisfied in order to respect Patrick Swayze and the film’s enduring popularity.
Years after the film’s release, Jennifer Grey was frequently asked about her experience working on Dirty Dancing. She acknowledged that she and Patrick Swayze had no relationship, but their physical appearances drew them together.
Lionsgate surprised everyone in April 2022 at Cinemacon by revealing their plans to create a sequel to the cult classic.
The next time Grey appeared was during an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she discussed the idea for a future sequel.
Jennifer Grey recently talked about the upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel. She made it clear that when it came to offering the best possible flick, she would not make any exceptions.
She added that a few of the original cast members would be back in the movie. Furthermore, Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze, will not have a successor; instead, his narrative and essence will be carried over into a different part in the follow-up.
Grey emphasized that the success of the movie depended on this difficult project.
When Patrick Swayze passed away in 2009, the entertainment industry and Jennifer Grey, his longtime co-star and companion, were devastated.
Despite their disagreements, Grey remarked after Swayze’s passing her deep sadness and remorse for not appreciating him more while he was still living.
In her memoirs, Out of the Corner, she paid a heartfelt homage to her past love, wishing she could have accepted him for who he was instead of expecting him to be someone else.
We wish Jennifer Grey all the best for her future goals, despite her tragic circumstances.
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