Thanksgiving, a time of celebration and gratitude, turned into a day of unimaginable tragedy for one family. The Debbs family prepared for a joyous reunion with loved ones and excitedly prepared a feast to share with friends and relatives.
We all look forward to Thanksgiving because it means we get to spend the day with the people we value the most—family and friends for whom we are grateful.
But one family will remember this Thanksgiving as the saddest day of their lives. A life that should have been all about joy and love was lost on this day.
Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old kid, made a bad decision and his parents did nothing to fix it. As a result, he is now in heaven and his parents will always mourn him.
The family bought a ton of delicious desserts to serve to their guests as they prepared for the party and wanted to make sure everything was flawless. They also put the turkey in the oven. Little did they know that the cake and basket of sweets would be the cause of their son’s death.
Everyone was drawn in by the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries because everything looked so delicious. Oakley indulged in a small piece of the cake that was staring at him from the table in the corner of the room as he was interested in trying it, not realizing it contained nuts. Oakley’s reaction to peanuts was immediate due to a minor allergy.
He hurried over to his mother who had just started reading the list of ingredients. It contained walnuts, which triggered an allergy, so Merrill gave her child Benadryl, which seemed to work well, without a second thought. Once Oakley felt better, he went outside to play with his cousins. “It was gone. We didn’t know what was going on inside him. He looked unharmed. After he showered and brushed his teeth, he went outside to play with his cousins.”
But as soon as the family decided to forgive for the evening, Oakley began whining. He informed her mother, “I’m sick again.”
The mother simply did not have time to react this time because the symptoms were much worse. She called 911 by reaching for the phone.
“He started throwing up and everything got out of control from there. I called 911. By the time the ambulance arrived, which was about 10 minutes later, he was blue.
When first responders arrived, nothing could be done. The boy was given two doses of epinephrine, but it was too late to save him. Doctors fought for Oakley’s life for four days in the hospital after he was brought there, but eventually had to let him go. The young man was pronounced dead.
His mother will remember that day forever. For days she cursed herself for not prescribing a stronger medicine first. EpiPen should have been chosen instead of Benadryl. However, Merrill couldn’t shake the feeling that she might still be alive if she had made a different choice because the damage had already been done.
Dr. Ruchi Gupta, director of the Food Allergies Outcomes Program at Northwestern University and associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, told TODAY that delayed allergic reactions like Oakley’s are a mystery.
We don’t know enough about delayed responses like this, which seem better than dying out quickly. For this reason, it is important to understand how to recognize a reaction and when and how to administer adrenaline.
The family later released an open message to everyone who knew and loved their son, as well as everyone who has always supported them. “Love yourself more and more. You are all very kind. I appreciate everyone being here, especially at this time. I am grateful for your persistence on my behalf. There was nothing more that could be done on Wednesday night.No one is to blame. Don’t believe you did if you did. PLEASE DON’T!
I appreciate everyone’s willingness to help me. I couldn’t be happier to have a family that is so considerate, so caring, and loves to laugh. Encourage each other with a strong will. To be there to hold or support. It’s the best way to go at this point. I am honored to be a member of this family. God’s goodness has blessed me to be a part of it.
Be happy, cheerful, and enthusiastic. Be brave and keep calm. Live your life with passion. The best you can do for me is this.
“Look for me in the rainbow; I’ll be there forever.”
Merrill hopes that by sharing the tragedy of her son’s unexpected death, schools will become more aware of allergies and implement nut bans. She founded the charity “Red Sneakers” to inform people about the risks associated with food allergies. This mother, who loved her child as only a mother can, will always feel his loss. She made every effort to save her son, but it was simply not possible.
The Debbs family’s heartfelt plea for support and courage serves as a testament to the power of motherly love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable loss.
To honor Oakley’s memory, let’s all be vigilant, educate ourselves and others, and spread awareness about food allergies to ensure that every encounter remains a safe and joyful occasion for all. Together we can create a world where tragedies like this become a thing of the past and the memory of Oakley Debbs becomes a beacon of hope for a safer future.