Positive thoughts and Prayers for the 4 year old who almost drowned

[JLS]

Very, very, very well said! I think you summed everything up very nicely!

+1. GREAT post, DesertGal.

The natural instinct to try to find an explanation or someone/thing to blame here is because without that, those of us who are parents have to face the reality that this type of thing could happen to any family and could have happened to us.

I cannot get this family out of my mind, and I don't think I will ever be at a pool again without thinking of this tragedy.

 

[Fielhol]

The Orlando Sentinal reports that the police and family services are investigating. Maybe after their investigation is done we will know more.

Every night I fill DH in on Chase's posts. Our hearts just break for this family.

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-75311650/

 

[Laurali]

+1. GREAT post, DesertGal.

The natural instinct to try to find an explanation or someone/thing to blame here is because without that, those of us who are parents have to face the reality that this type of thing could happen to any family and could have happened to us.

I cannot get this family out of my mind, and I don't think I will ever be at a pool again without thinking of this tragedy.

I feel the same way! We just booked a cruise on the dream for February and after following this sad tragedy I signed my almost 2 year old up for swim lessons today. My heart aches for this poor family and I am so amazed of their strength and positive perseverance.

 

[Jillpie]

The Orlando Sentinal reports that the police and family services are investigating. Maybe after their investigation is done we will know more.

Every night I fill DH in on Chase's posts. Our hearts just break for this family.

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-75311650/

This "investigation" is routine, done with any event like this. I'm sure they will come to the conclusion that it was accidental. I do wonder if Disney will make some major changes now though.

 

[TrustMeMom]

The Orlando Sentinal reports that the police and family services are investigating. Maybe after their investigation is done we will know more.

Every night I fill DH in on Chase's posts. Our hearts just break for this family.

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-75311650/

I guess I am old school - but it just seems odd to me when a newspaper's main sources for an article are fb posts and caringbridge entries.

Thoughts and prayers for Chase and his family. May God keep them and strengthen them.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I guess I am old school - but it just seems odd to me when a newspaper's main sources for an article are fb posts and caringbridge entries.
.

Scary, huh?

 

[3mmm]

Reading through some of this thread and others out there, I challenge all of you to only speak negative of this family if you have NEVER, in any situation or circumstance, lost sight of a child! I have done it and if you are honest, I think everyone of you that is a parent will recollect a time when one of your children was out of your sight for a moment or more. That is all it takes!! I admit it happened to us on this very cruise.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Reading through some of this thread and others out there, I challenge all of you to only speak negative of this family if you have NEVER, in any situation or circumstance, lost sight of a child! I have done it and if you are honest, I think everyone of you that is a parent will recollect a time when one of your children was out of your sight for a moment or more. That is all it takes!! I admit it happened to us on this very cruise.

You are right, it only takes a moment.

 

[kimgg]

I agree about not judging. I work in child protective services, and while I have seen truly neglectful parents, and while not uncommon, I seriously doubt these parents just let their 4 year old swim alone. I am guessing they were nearby and either lost track or thought he was being watched by someone else. I have boys, and when trying to watch them, I have often mistaken other children for them in a crowd. I also just was on the fantasy, and the pools were too crowded so my kids never got in other than doing the aquaduck. I had no idea there was any deep areas - they looked so shallow (although since my kids never went in them so I didn't pay them much attention).

Regardless of how it happened, I will continue to pray for them and hope they never read any of the judgemental posts.

 

[DesertGal]

Very, very, very well said! I think you summed everything up very nicely!

Thank you but as I re-read my post I noticed all the typographical errors! I had so much emotion that I didn't take time to proofread. I think this cuts to the core because our family adores Disney cruises and have so many fond and unforgettable memories associated with those trips. I just can't imagine going through what they did and are going through, and also what those who assisted, or who happened to be there must feel. Also having a child of that same age makes it even more surreal.

Reading about their whole experience gave me an opportunity to be thankful for my kids, and also reminded me just how quickly tragedy can strike any family.

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[DesertGal]

The natural instinct to try to find an explanation or someone/thing to blame here is because without that, those of us who are parents have to face the reality that this type of thing could happen to any family and could have happened to us.

I cannot get this family out of my mind, and I don't think I will ever be at a pool again without thinking of this tragedy.

So true. It does make you realize it can happen to any of us and it really hits home.

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[antlawn]

Anyone with small children, ISR lessons is a MUST! It is NOT "swim lessons", it is "Self Rescue". They teach your child, from 6 months of age and up, to "roll back" and float, until help arrives. It WORKS!!! Not saying, this would have helped poor little Chase, none of us have a clue what happened, but, it will teach your child, survival skills in the water, that will stick with them thru out their lives.
Infantswim.com

Prayers for Chase and Family +

 

[gilsan]

Anyone with small children, ISR lessons is a MUST! It is NOT "swim lessons", it is "Self Rescue". They teach your child, from 6 months of age and up, to "roll back" and float, until help arrives. It WORKS!!! Not saying, this would have helped poor little Chase, none of us have a clue what happened, but, it will teach your child, survival skills in the water, that will stick with them thru out their lives.
Infantswim.com

Prayers for Chase and Family +

I saw a video of babies practicing the self rescue, it is amazing how well and easily they do it. I think all babies should learn how to do the roll back and float.

 

[Suz D]

Anyone with small children, ISR lessons is a MUST! It is NOT "swim lessons", it is "Self Rescue". They teach your child, from 6 months of age and up, to "roll back" and float, until help arrives. It WORKS!!! Not saying, this would have helped poor little Chase, none of us have a clue what happened, but, it will teach your child, survival skills in the water, that will stick with them thru out their lives.
Infantswim.com

Prayers for Chase and Family +

My sister (Desert Gal) had her two kids take these lessons. I completely agree that they are critical especially for a family that has a pool. This was one of my first thoughts but then I considered how crowded people say the pools are on the bigger ships (like sardines apparently) and it would be unlikely a child could flip over in that situation. So I also agree with you that it might not have helped Chase. Important skills to have for a little one but not always possible for the child to follow through due to these conditions. It's important to always remember that no matter how strong a swimmer your child is, keep an eye out as best you can.

This has really taken a toll on my already menopausally impacted emotions (is that even a word?). I have a daredevil 6 year old who we haven't been able to get enrolled in group swimming lessons over the last two summers as well as this upcoming summer. She has no regard for water safety no matter how many times she's been instructed, warned, threatened, pleaded with. I could see something like this happening to her because she is just drawn to a swimming pool. I'm a train wreck thinking of our upcoming WDW trip and am frantically trying to find private lessons for her before we go in late June. I can imagine how Chase's parents must be feeling and I'm sure what I imagine isn't even close to what they are feeling.

He's been in my thoughts and prayers constantly since this happened.

 

[Silverfox97]

I agree, ISR is incredible. However, it won't help if 1) a different medical event occurs (seizure, cardiac event, etc.), or 2) someone jumps on the child & knocks them unconscious. Still a great skill for and child to have, but still not 100%.

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[Silverfox97]

Found this post in the guest book on the Caring Bridge:

Written 36 minutes ago by Elisha Bailez

Hello Lykken Family:

We were there with you on the boat. At the pool. My three kids were in the pool at the time, and I gave Chase his first CPR. I have been reading, sending and saying prayers, and just now ready to say that I was there. Yesterday after school, I sat down with my three little ones (same ages as yours) and explained what I did and we just now really talked about it. And that was VERY VERY HARD. I'm glad I did it but wanted to reach out to you to say, you too will eventually be able to discuss it with your kids. And I know at your home hospital you will get some help as a family with this. One more thing I wanted to share: My oldest son was VERY involved that dreadful day and was haunted emensely on the cruise. One thing I said to him really helped. I said, "Son, I want you take all your sadness, sorrow, anger, and worry and put it all on me. Mommy will wear it for you, I am strong and I will take it off you and put it on me". We cried together but he was so relieved with that simple jesture. I even put out my hands and said, "give it to me honey". He made a motion and put it in my hands and then I took what he gave me and put it in my heart with my hands. I said, "good, now do it again and over and over until you think I have it all". I'm just a Mom, who was there, able to respond. I am not trained in child grief, but this did help. Both of us. I loved being able to do it. I know he still suffered but it helped a little bit and that's all you can ask. We prayed as a family for Chase and every night since then. Me....every moment. I feel connected to you, Chase and your family from this and I know from reading this many others are also very deeply attached with love. So Lykken Family...."Jesus wants you take all your sadness, sorrow, grief, anger, horror and give it to him. He is strong and he can hold it for you. Reach out your hands and let Him carry it for you, that is why He came. For you, right now, for us all." God Bless you and all your Family. With all our Family's Love, The Bailez's from Atlanta

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[AZMermaid]

I have a lot of friends who put their kids in ISR. It does work- it is to swim lessons what cry it out is to sleep. If I had an unfenced pool (which some of these friends have) I would do it in a second. But, we don't have a pool yet, so my son has been in gentler lessons since he was 6 weeks old (off and on, but more on than off). He can back and front float, jump in and swim back to the wall, get rings from the bottom of a shallow pool, swim about 10 feet by himself. He is sooooo close to getting the rollover breath, I am pretty sure he will have it by June, we took Oct-March off or I think he would have it now. He will be 3 in September. Children over age 3-4 should be able to swim the length of a small pool without any sort of flotation device, I agree. But there are many ways to get to this end goal. When I was in charge of a large well known swim lesson program, I had a LOT of kids who came to us at 3-5 years old who hated the water due to traumatic experiences with ISR. But, it does have it's place and like I said, I would use it if I had to, but we are choosing not to build our pool until my daughter is 3 and swimming on her own. But, of course, we will fence it and always be out there too... but we want that added layer of safety knowing she can swim, and really swim.

 

[DLgal]

Anyone with small children, ISR lessons is a MUST! It is NOT "swim lessons", it is "Self Rescue". They teach your child, from 6 months of age and up, to "roll back" and float, until help arrives. It WORKS!!! Not saying, this would have helped poor little Chase, none of us have a clue what happened, but, it will teach your child, survival skills in the water, that will stick with them thru out their lives.
Infantswim.com

Prayers for Chase and Family +

Any certified swim instructor worth his or her salt will begin lessons by teaching "roll over and float." It should go no further until this skill is mastered. I paid a fortune for 1:1 lessons for my autistic son when he was 4 years old because he loved the water and had no concept of danger, so I felt he NEEDED to learn to swim properly, and his first 5 or so lessons were JUST learning to master this skill. At $40 per lesson, yeah, it cost close to $200 before he even mastered this skill! It is THAT important. It took another 25 lessons before he was "water safe" and able to swim 25 yards freestyle unassisted. It was worth every penny.

There is no reason to waste time and money on ISR training, when basic swim lessons should begin with this skill anyway.

For anyone who is going to be getting swim lessons for their kids, ask the instructor "What is the first thing you will be teaching my child." If they don't answer "roll over and float", find another swim instructor.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

Found this post in the guest book on the Caring Bridge:

Written 36 minutes ago by Elisha Bailez

Hello Lykken Family:

We were there with you on the boat. At the pool. My three kids were in the pool at the time, and I gave Chase his first CPR. I have been reading, sending and saying prayers, and just now ready to say that I was there. Yesterday after school, I sat down with my three little ones (same ages as yours) and explained what I did and we just now really talked about it. And that was VERY VERY HARD. I'm glad I did it but wanted to reach out to you to say, you too will eventually be able to discuss it with your kids. And I know at your home hospital you will get some help as a family with this. One more thing I wanted to share: My oldest son was VERY involved that dreadful day and was haunted emensely on the cruise. One thing I said to him really helped. I said, "Son, I want you take all your sadness, sorrow, anger, and worry and put it all on me. Mommy will wear it for you, I am strong and I will take it off you and put it on me". We cried together but he was so relieved with that simple jesture. I even put out my hands and said, "give it to me honey". He made a motion and put it in my hands and then I took what he gave me and put it in my heart with my hands. I said, "good, now do it again and over and over until you think I have it all". I'm just a Mom, who was there, able to respond. I am not trained in child grief, but this did help. Both of us. I loved being able to do it. I know he still suffered but it helped a little bit and that's all you can ask. We prayed as a family for Chase and every night since then. Me....every moment. I feel connected to you, Chase and your family from this and I know from reading this many others are also very deeply attached with love. So Lykken Family...."Jesus wants you take all your sadness, sorrow, grief, anger, horror and give it to him. He is strong and he can hold it for you. Reach out your hands and let Him carry it for you, that is why He came. For you, right now, for us all." God Bless you and all your Family. With all our Family's Love, The Bailez's from Atlanta

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This made me cry. Very heartfelt. I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through as well.

 

[wallawallakids]

Found this post in the guest book on the Caring Bridge:

Written 36 minutes ago by Elisha Bailez

Hello Lykken Family:

We were there with you on the boat. At the pool. My three kids were in the pool at the time, and I gave Chase his first CPR. I have been reading, sending and saying prayers, and just now ready to say that I was there. Yesterday after school, I sat down with my three little ones (same ages as yours) and explained what I did and we just now really talked about it. And that was VERY VERY HARD. I'm glad I did it but wanted to reach out to you to say, you too will eventually be able to discuss it with your kids. And I know at your home hospital you will get some help as a family with this. One more thing I wanted to share: My oldest son was VERY involved that dreadful day and was haunted emensely on the cruise. One thing I said to him really helped. I said, "Son, I want you take all your sadness, sorrow, anger, and worry and put it all on me. Mommy will wear it for you, I am strong and I will take it off you and put it on me". We cried together but he was so relieved with that simple jesture. I even put out my hands and said, "give it to me honey". He made a motion and put it in my hands and then I took what he gave me and put it in my heart with my hands. I said, "good, now do it again and over and over until you think I have it all". I'm just a Mom, who was there, able to respond. I am not trained in child grief, but this did help. Both of us. I loved being able to do it. I know he still suffered but it helped a little bit and that's all you can ask. We prayed as a family for Chase and every night since then. Me....every moment. I feel connected to you, Chase and your family from this and I know from reading this many others are also very deeply attached with love. So Lykken Family...."Jesus wants you take all your sadness, sorrow, grief, anger, horror and give it to him. He is strong and he can hold it for you. Reach out your hands and let Him carry it for you, that is why He came. For you, right now, for us all." God Bless you and all your Family. With all our Family's Love, The Bailez's from Atlanta

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Wow. What an amazing woman. God bless her and her family. God bless the Lykken family as well.