Topic : 12/21 Shocking Teen Trends

Dear Maria: 

I am so sorry about Kyle. I recieved an e mail about him the day he died.  

I do not want to preach, but I am going to. 

Maria, you have the chance to influence those who's life you come into contact with, especially your peers. My son Gabriel had many friends. Some of these friends knew what Gabriel was doing. I wish that just one of them would have come to me.  

There is something that often takes years to learn and that is the meaning of being a true, good friend. I know that when these friends of my son get into their adult years they will have wished they HAD come to me, gone to anyone and told them of what Gabriel was doing. Many young people are aware that this is indeed a 'stupid' game; Many are ignorant of how stupid and life threatening it is. This is my point; If you do care about someone and see that they are making a choice that is dumb, dangerous, something that you think that your friends parents or you parents would have a problem with, then you have a choice to make: (I say 'you' meaning 'anyone'..) You can either sit back and keep quiet because 'telling' would make you a nark, uncool, or tick your friend off possibly resulting in that 'friend' dropping you like a hot potato (in which case you are better off, as they probably weren't as commited to the friendship as you were) or, you can be an absolute 'true friend' and do the right thing...Tell someone, anyone who can intervene and get help for your friend. Maria, the age that you are now is a tough one; boys and girls at this age are changing in every way; even your brains are changing and maturity is on the way. Everyone wants to be accepted by their peers and some will go to great lengths to achieve this wanted acceptence. There is pressure to be 'cool'... and fitting in. My Gabriel was cool; an older peer taught him this 'game' and I think Gabriel tried it so that the kid wouldn't think he was 'un cool'... unfortunately again, some kids get addicted to this game, some don't. Gabriel did.   

Maria, you take very good care of yourself, stay 'smart' and avoid hanging out with kids who are doing things that you know aren't cool. Stick up for the underdogs who aren't accepted because of the way they look, or because they are a 'geek' or because there family isn't well thought of in the community; encourage those kids who you can see are having a tough time fitting in. It will make all the difference in someone's life.  

Again Maria, I am so sad about your loss and the loss of your friendship with Kyle. 

God Bless you Maria, God Bless all the children, 

Sarah  

Gabriel Mordecai's Mom 

Maria,  I am so sorry for your loss and for Kyle's family as well--none of your lives will ever be the same.  It has been over a year now since I found my 19 year-old daughter hanging in her room.  As hard as it is just to function through each day and people everyday will give you words of advice--some may even offend you--just stay strong--work through your grief--and the most important thing now is to honor Kyle by educating others.  Visit surrounding High Schools and speak to them--call counselors from the schools--educate them also.  When I found out that Courtney had been exposed to this on her HS cheerleading squad, at the University of GA, and GA Tech campus--I contacted each institution.  Please help others children not to die in honor of Kyle.  Stay strong.  Stephanie 

It will get a little better, but takes a long time.............. 

I have posted many messages on this board concerning my daughter Courtney, whom I found hanging in her bedroom.  I have just learned from experts through a thorough investigation that in fact, Courtney died from AEA.  I have also verified with both HS and college friends that she was involved.  I am finally glad to know the truth--I always FELT that this was not suicide.  Stephanie

How many kids are going to die before there is a sense of urgency in our communities, in our schools, in this country?  The tally of children dying from the choking game, inhalents, and such things continues to rise and still so many parents have no idea this activity is lurking in high schools, middle schools and recently I've been told by some elementary school children that they too are 'playing' this 'game' - at RECESS none the less!  

As parents we need to get together with PTO, PTA  organizations, DARE programs, guidance counselors, school administration, and the like to push to have all the known dangers to our children brought to our attention! We must demand we be informed! 

Be informed - be empowered - talk to your children! 

Kate Blake 

Dylan Blake's Mom  

www.Dylan-the-boy-Blake.com 

  

This "trend" has actually been around awhile....my husband's young cousin died from playing this "game" back in December of 1996.  And what is weird is that my husband's whole family is Mennonite (very similar to Amish, except they use electricity and cars....but they have NO televisions or video games, no music either- they even sing in church without music).  Makes you wonder where he got this idea.....Faron was only 14 years old, and they found him sitting in the bathtub fully clothed, no water,  with a jumprope tight around his neck.  He apparently had let it go too far and passed out before he could get it back off....they thought he had committed suicide, but police told them this was a "new trend" with kids, that it was a game.  After talking with Faron's friends they found out this was something they had been fooling around doing.....

This is not a new treand my freinds and i got together 

  

It was a rush  

  

i was not doing drugs, drinking casually at parties and a cheerleader.  

You are out for about 30-45 sec.  You wake and have a "high" feeling and tingle.  We stoped when it took one friend over one 1/2 min to come too.  It scared us and never did it again.   

  

Thank you to the higher power that it never took our life. 

  

  

I have a thirteen year old and a nine year old and they have a hard time fitting in and i am afraid that this will come to their school and they will try this just to fit in. so i have already told them that we will all be watching this show on this subject so they can see the importance of what this game can do to someone. i hope all parents and teachers and anyone else who have an influnce on children watch this and PARENTS PLEASE SIT YOUR CHILDREN DOWN TO WATCH THIS SHOW.fitting in is not as important as staying alive.

  Makes me very worried for my kids safty knowing that they hear about the chocking games and anything ealse that kids find new ways to hurt them selfs...my daughter is turning 15 and it scarry to hear or even her asking me what do i think of these things...alls i can tell her is how it makes me feel and that it just isn't the safest thing out there to be trying or doing...i know i will be recording this show and sit down with her along with my 13 year old boy who is just as much into talking about this as any other teen out there that has heard of this new trend...i do hope that the schools also be recording this for the JR high schools along with the high school leaves so that way it can be part of helth  class... it just might open kids eyes more to knowing how much people do care and want to see them live happy long lives and not something that can be taken away in a short time...

  

  Another dangerous game, & it is also played at younger children's parties & school/church  functions. The marshmellow game.  Object is to find out who can stuff the most marshmellows   

 into their mouth.  As the marshmellows are pushed back into the mouth, it begins to melt & go  down  into  the throat. It sticks to everything & soon the windpipe is clogged and the person cannot breathe.  Others often do not realize what is actually happening until it is too late.  More often than not, death is the result, not many are able to be saved as it is a matter of being able to get all the melted marshmellow out of the airway.  A breathing tube is needed to be inserted quickly into the throat by a doctor. Please warn everybody this is not a harmless game. Marshmellows can be fatal.  

Hi Dr.Phil 

                      I was shocked and truly mystified at what extent kids will go to for a high/rush. When I saw this news coverage my first reaction was- WHAT? I have three daughters in three different age groups 15yrs(High School),12yrs(Middle School),4yrs(DayCare) so I asked my two oldest daughters if they had heard of this new Choking High trend and they both said they had'nt. But I made sure if they hear anyone talking babout it to let me know. It is a touchy subject because in all honesty it could be a cry for help or an inocent game of chance. I truly am saddened for anyones loss to this game and pray for those families who are left to figure out why. 

 

Concerned Parent 

 

Kevin McGraw