Justice for Michael

[Duke]

As a parent I've had my share of nightmares about my child's mortality and my inability to stop it from...

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[Duke]

It's coming up on 3 years since Michael drowned and his life and that of his fathers were changed forever. I've added an update to the article link listed above and Dave (Michael's father) will hopefully look into ways to inform me of updates as they happen.

It's a very sad story for those of you who haven't read it so if you do get a chance, I encourage you to take a look. Everything I've published is taken word for word from Dave's website (with his permission) so as not to lose any of the original message.

[TKDLady]

Just a small correction. It has been 2 years, not 3. Your article is correct so this must just be a typo. Thanks for keeping up with Dave. I don't know about him but I appreciate it. It has been a long 2 years for me as well. I don't think he realizes how much it has affected me. I wish he did.

[Duke]

Ya, 2 years my bad.

I can't imagine how hard this situation must be on Dave and all the people in his life. You raise a child and do your best to keep them safe and then something happens that changes everything. In Dave's case, he's left with a son who really isn't a son anymore, he's a shell.

I really hate to say this but it almost would have been better if they couldn't have revived Michael simply because the mourning process would have begun. Eventually you stop mourning and start moving on but in this case, Dave still mourns and may do so the rest of his days.

It's really tragic for everyone concerned and it's one of the reasons I've had my daughter read it. Kids really don't consider their mortality at all so doses of reality must be injected from time to time in hopes of raising their awareness.

[TKDLady]

I did the same with my kids after it happened. I wanted them to be more cautious at the beach and to think before drinking. You are right about Dave mourning for the rest of his days. I don't think he will ever recover. As for Michael not being revived, Dave told me that if that had happened he would have disappeared forever himself. For that reason I am glad Michael survived but there have been many times the last few months that I too wish Michael wouldn't have made it. I feel so bad when I say and think that but the grieving process would be able to finish. Now it is like living that day over all the time and I know that is what Dave does. Heck, I do it to. It is horrible.

[Duke]

The problem is that Dave has already disappeared, he just doesn't know it yet because his grieving process isn't progressing. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but the utmost of respect for the situation but I just can't imagine how hard it is to watch your child waste away in front of your eyes, knowing full well they will never be who they used to be.

[Duke]

Updated.

[PepsiChic]

i must of read his story a hundred times by now, and everytime i read it i cry

[Duke]

It is a touching story so I do my best to keep on top of the updates. I just wish Dave had an RSS Feed or some other way to keep on top of the updates because otherwise, I miss a lot.

[PepsiChic]

it does make me wonder tho, the lengths we go to, to keep someone alive.

sometimes, and i know it sounds horrible, but wouldnt it of been better to just let people go when it comes to a decision of letting them die or letting them live in a vegetated state?

[Duke]

I think it would be easier long term but short term, it would prolly feel the same as murder. To this day I can't believe I wanted my ex to have an abortion because of how awesome my daughter is.

Maybe letting go of a vegetated loved one is similar as we always hold onto the hope that one day, they will recover.

[TKDLady]

Originally Posted by Duke

It is a touching story so I do my best to keep on top of the updates. I just wish Dave had an RSS Feed or some other way to keep on top of the updates because otherwise, I miss a lot.

You don't miss a lot. He only updates about once a week and his website is not his priority. I wish he would talk to me but he doesn't. He does his best to avoid me these days. If he did I would give you updates or help him put this RSS feed into his site. He doesn't really care about any of that so I guess the point is mute. I sure do miss him.

[Duke]

I'll just keep visiting a few times/month to see if there's any updates and post them as I find them.

[TKDLady]

He did post another one this morning. Just thought I would tell you.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by tkdlady

He did post another one this morning. Just thought I would tell you.

Thanks, I'll add it tonight.

[TKDLady]

Thanks for keeping this on the front page. I don't know if Dave appreciates it but I do. As much as I wish it were otherwise, he will always have a place in my heart.

[Duke]

I've actually edited the main news page so now it simply redirects to Dave's update page. I'd love to keep it current but there's no way for me to keep on top of Dave's sporadic updates.

I asked him about a possible RSS Feed or something similar but he's prolly too busy to add this functionality just because I'm moaning about it.

The problem here is that whenever I publish any updates, there always old updates. I try to visit the site as often as possible but it's impossible for me to visit all the time even though I'd like to.

Hopefully, this new re-direct system will move any traffic finding our article to his update page.

[TKDLady]

I noticed the change and it is probably the best way to do it. He hasn't talked to me in weeks so I don't know what he is doing or thinking.

[Duke]

I agree.

I'd love to post regular updates but with no notification system, I'm only posting what may be very stale updates hence the reason for the re-direct. If he ever gets a system in place such as RSS then I'd be happy to re-post all his updates here as well.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by tkdlady

I noticed the change and it is probably the best way to do it. He hasn't talked to me in weeks so I don't know what he is doing or thinking.

I thought I'd add that updating the article and the forum discussion has now taken our results up to page 1, results 8 and 9 in google.com (at least in my area). I'm hoping that this added exposure and forum discussion about Justice for Michael will help raise awareness.

I do wish though that Dave would come by now and again because I strongly feel that he would feel a bit better due to talking about it.

[TKDLady]

He is dead inside and what energy he does have all goes into taking care of Michael. It kills me and part of me feels dead too. Life really does suck at times.

[Luba]

Originally Posted by tkdlady

He is dead inside and what energy he does have all goes into taking care of Michael. It kills me and part of me feels dead too. Life really does suck at times.

How is the Mother in all this?

[TKDLady]

I really don't know. When I have asked Dave in the past he doesn't have a lot of nice things to say about her. I can't get a straight answer on anything so I don't know. I think she has Michael once or twice a week for a few hours but Dave has the majority of the burden both financially and physically. I am sure emotionally they are about the same but women seem to deal with these things a little better than men.

[IvyRose]

Be well, Dave and Michael. You have both touched my heart and I wish only the best.

[Fayebelle]

There is an update.



I can't figure out how to read past updates that may have been missed........