The moment you came into this world. I knew that I would do all I could to protect you from everything that would try to harm you. June 4th of 2023 everything changed for me and Damarion on that day. Something happened to my best friend, my son that I had no way of preventing it. I had no way of protecting you from what was to come. Damarion, you had an asthma attack. Your body was receiving oxygen, but your body was not releasing carbon. I was told that your heart stopped and with those words said to me. I lost a huge part of my own heart. My son was a happy sixteen- year-old who played sports, guitar and was a singer/rapper.
He was put in a coma at St.Peters Hospital, June 4th, 2023, due to a cardiac arrest. That is when the heart suddenly stops beating and blood stops flowing to the brain which causes massive brain damage. Damarion, was put on fentanyl so that his body would recover. He had 3 E.K.G’S every month for the first three months. He underwent intense Physical therapy and Occupational therapy. Damarion, was left needing to put a tracheotomy tube in his throat, which connected his larynx to his lungs and to his g-tube. This way he can receive the nutrients needed because of his inability to be able to eat. The tracheotomy was left leaving him needing speech therapy as well going forward. Damarion is nonverbal and non-mobile due to his cardiac arrest from the asthma attack. When he was transferred to children’s specialized hospital, he underwent Botox injections in his arms to loosen up his arms because his body had become stiff along with his legs. Demarion had to do intense physical therapy so that he was able to come home. The day they let him come home was when he was able to get decannulated and with that, was just left with his feeding tube.
The journey home was intense. He has had therapy 3 times a week every week for 4 months. It was hard to get him to his appointments because I have no handicap accessible vehicle. He started school at the beginning of December and is transported to a special needs school in Edison. He now gets his physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in school. It’s a long recovery and I’m with him through this all the way.
We all miss his silly goofy, silly antics. Every morning he would have talks with your brothers and share laughter together. Him being my oldest he was my shoulder to cry on and someone I could talk to about anything. He would help me protect the family. Now the roles have reversed, and the family protects you. With all that you are going through, we are going to be here for you. We are waiting for you to recover. We miss your voice words of encouragement and your goofy silly self. We can’t wait to play football with you. Shoot them hoops. Go on drives to nowhere. Just listening to music in talking about our goals to each other. We love you and miss you.
We want to thank the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund and all those that support to help Damarian and our family. We have not lost hope that he can still recover some more and are thankful to have your support.