Today my brother in law is dead. Whether by his own hand or the hand of another we do not know, and that really isn’t even what matters. What matters is that he is 16 years old and he is dead. And you and I and other people just like you and me are responsible. Chad was a forgotten child. He was the quiet boy that sat in the back of the classroom when he even showed up at all. His clothes where raggedy and sometimes dirty. Maybe you thought he didn’t care. Maybe you thought he was trouble. Did you ever look close enough to see his sweet, sweet soul or his pain. He loved to skateboard and he was pretty good at it too. He was quiet and shy and smart and funny. But he was hurt and angry and depressed and life at home was difficult. Maybe you knew that his life at home was bad, maybe you only suspected or maybe you didn’t care. But I cared. I won’t forget him. Do you know a Chad?
I knew that Chad’s father was not around, unavailable and unable to sustain a loving relationship with his children. I knew that his mother was so angry with her children’s father that she let that anger rule her life. I knew she had addiction problems. I knew that his sister parented him and shielded him from their mother’s anger, to the best of her abilities, but she was still just a child as well. If I lived 500 miles away and knew this why didn’t the neighbors, the school, his friends, his community know? I made 2 child protective hotline calls when I knew of specific incidences that could be verified it anyone took the time to look and ask questions. No one investigated. Because he is a forgotten child.
I keep asking myself, why? Why did his community fail him. If they knew why didn’t they call? Why didn’t you call? Why did you not try to save Chad? I tried. Why did you turn the other way and tell yourself that it wasn’t your problem. Maybe you called police or child protective, and called until you got tired of no one doing anything about it so you just stopped calling. You just forgot about it and you forgot about Chad. But I won’t ever forget.
The calls were made. By me, by the school, maybe by the neighbors and the police. But you ignored it because Chad was forgettable, you see kids just like him everyday. And you just don’t care. Shame on you Child Protective Services, shame on you! Did you look? Did you try? Did you care? No. How many times were you called about these children and you just looked the other way. And now Chad is dead. He was a forgotten child. But I won’t forget him.
And I don’t want the world to forget him either. Do you know a Chad? One of the forgotten children? Do you make the call or look the other way? Do you decide to get involved or do you just forget about it because it isn’t any of your business? Do you reach out to the hurting children in your corner of the world? Can you take the time to listen? Can you take the time to care? The world if full of forgotten children. The world is full of Chads can you save yours? Because I couldn’t save mine. I won’t forget. Will you forget?
If this is important to you, if this touches your heart, please pass it on. Maybe you can save a life. Copy it and paste it into an email or just send a link. Please you may save a life
I knew that Chad’s father was not around, unavailable and unable to sustain a loving relationship with his children. I knew that his mother was so angry with her children’s father that she let that anger rule her life. I knew she had addiction problems. I knew that his sister parented him and shielded him from their mother’s anger, to the best of her abilities, but she was still just a child as well. If I lived 500 miles away and knew this why didn’t the neighbors, the school, his friends, his community know? I made 2 child protective hotline calls when I knew of specific incidences that could be verified it anyone took the time to look and ask questions. No one investigated. Because he is a forgotten child.
I keep asking myself, why? Why did his community fail him. If they knew why didn’t they call? Why didn’t you call? Why did you not try to save Chad? I tried. Why did you turn the other way and tell yourself that it wasn’t your problem. Maybe you called police or child protective, and called until you got tired of no one doing anything about it so you just stopped calling. You just forgot about it and you forgot about Chad. But I won’t ever forget.
The calls were made. By me, by the school, maybe by the neighbors and the police. But you ignored it because Chad was forgettable, you see kids just like him everyday. And you just don’t care. Shame on you Child Protective Services, shame on you! Did you look? Did you try? Did you care? No. How many times were you called about these children and you just looked the other way. And now Chad is dead. He was a forgotten child. But I won’t forget him.
And I don’t want the world to forget him either. Do you know a Chad? One of the forgotten children? Do you make the call or look the other way? Do you decide to get involved or do you just forget about it because it isn’t any of your business? Do you reach out to the hurting children in your corner of the world? Can you take the time to listen? Can you take the time to care? The world if full of forgotten children. The world is full of Chads can you save yours? Because I couldn’t save mine. I won’t forget. Will you forget?
If this is important to you, if this touches your heart, please pass it on. Maybe you can save a life. Copy it and paste it into an email or just send a link. Please you may save a life
Comments
I'm so very sorry this happened to your BIL. It's such a sad thing to happen. However, please remember the GOOD you are doing for OTHER children. Chad loves you, and you need to know that. Bless you.
I am so saddened by this news...so sorry for your loss. It is a tragic, terrible thing and your plea for help for others will not go un-noticed. I am sorry that Chad is gone, sorry that he was forgotten, sorry that you and your family are suffering. Thank you for making me and others think.....
Hugs,
Cindy
Bless you,
Ann
Hugs Cindy
My heart is heavy and sad at your loss. I will pass this along to all that I know.
Big hugs,
Suzy
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know in a way how it feels as my uncle was murdered a few weeks back.
I , too, was a forgotten child for part of my life. I thank God that I was helped though. I am sorry your bil was not. This is so tragic. If you need someone to talk to email me! I have sorta bee there. Take care (((hugs)))
My heart breaks for what you and your family have been throuh. Your words will make me think next time I see a child like Chad.....what more can I do to help the children in my community.
Hugs to you,
Barb
It disturbs me that political correctness and red tape have far too often come before the well being of child. Cases such as with your BIL should not even exist. I work with children each day and cannot imagine not loving anyone of the little buggers that come through my home. It saddens me that in this world today we care more about whether we say Happy holidays rather than Merry Christmas.
I have been taught that we are all here for a purpose maybe in a way Chad's story will help other children who are on the verge of falling into the cracks. Maybe He will not be forgotten afterall, if his life story can bring others to awareness.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Leslie
In Him
Corinne
I'm so sorry for your pain and your loss.
Mariynn aka APandi
so sorry for your loss...suicide really is the worst kind of tragedy. I will be praying for your family. thanks for sharing your story in the hopes of bringing awareness to a sometimes "unspoken of" national crisis. May the Lord Bless you and keep you.
My heart goes out to you. Lately my son has had several forgotten children come into his life. They may appear to be different. We need to look more closely at them. The ones in my sons life are hurting and wanting to be loved. As adults we need to take the time to give them time and unconditional love. They need to know that they matter. I am glad that you tried. I will pray for you as you go through the healing process ahead.