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.
Here’s how many years in prison she is expected to face. Mississippi mother who went viral because she neglected her freezing son, has been arre sted.
Mississippi mother who went viral because she neglected her freezing son, has been arre sted.
Good. Kambria Darby was arre sted in Byram, Mississippi after her 2 year old son needed paramedics’ attention for ‘freezing & shaking.’
Darby has since compared herseIf to Jesus in a Facebook post, saying she was being done like Jesus was. The boy was taken by Child Protective Services and later released to a relative with his two siblings.
Darby is facing up to six years in jaiI if she is convicted for neglecting her child.
Darby claims she did nothing wrong.
They did Jesus the same way, he felt sick to his stomach as well; he didn’t want to go through it. My village ain’t gone play about my 3 & neither do I! Again I can’t say everything it’s a legal matter but my kids are not a charity case, they are not negIected, and I am not mentally ill! Stop it with the defamation!”
Reports claim temperatures were below 20 degrees Fahrenheit while the baby was in nothing but a diaper.
The woman who tried protecting the chiId and filmed the encounter, Felicia Nicole, worked at the Walmart where this happened.
She has since been fired. Walmart doesn’t care about their employees! I was only trying to help, she said.
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