LDA is hosting a walk this year at their National Convention. I plan to participate in this walk in hopes of raising awareness for children with learning disabilities and the opportunities that are now available to children that were not available when my son Philip was a child. I ask you to consider donating to this worthy cause. So many children do not learn in the typical manner that teachers expect. I challenge teachers to teach children in a manner to which they can learn instead of asking a child to learn in the manner a teacher teaches. Whether it be an inability to compute or memorize math tables, comprehend what has been read, or simply reiterating what a teacher has taught. For some children these tasks can be impossible if they do not receive help to cope with their disabilities they can easily become frustrated. LDA is committed to educating parents, teachers and other individuals obtain the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to help our children become productive adults. Please join me in helping support their efforts to raise awareness for the future of our children. Attached is a copy of the Eulogy I delivered for my son Philip who, even tho I made many attempts to obtain help for sadly did not make it in our world.
We have gathered today to say goodnight to our son, your brother, your cousin, your nephew, your uncle, your friend……. Philip was diagnosed at a very young age with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. Thus began his long, insurmountable journey through-out his youth and into his adult life with his disabilities. My sweet, little, shy boy also had to struggle with severe asthma and chronic pneumonia. His was a difficult life at best. He had pneumonia 21 times by the time he was 5 years old, most resulting in hospital stays and medications. He went to special schools because learning was a challenge for him and, yes, was put on more medications. I share this with you because many of you didn’t know him in his youth, to understand why he was so troubled today. In spite of this, he had many things he enjoyed in life; fishing brought him great comfort and clarity, as I’m sure you can tell by looking around today. He also loved camping, soccer, and hockey. As far as sports go, he particularly loved playing hockey. I think it was because he could hit people and get his frustrations out, he did get a few penalties along the way….. As he grew up, life became increasing more difficult for him and he began to self medicate. He became more and more addicted to drugs and alcohol. He was in and out of drug rehab facilities and counseling countless time his entire adult life, trying to heal himself. He wanted so desperately to “get better”.
All that being said he was the kindest and most loving person. He was very generous to his friends and would do anything he could to help anyone in need. He always had a big hug for me when we saw each other and he never let me leave without saying I LOVE YOU MOM. He accepted people for who they were with all their faults. He was sensitive to his core. He LOVED his family. He LOVED his niece Hannah beyond what anyone could possibly know. His eyes would light up when he saw that little girl, and although he did not get to see his nephew KYLE very often he cherished his time with him, particularly our visit to Disney in January this year. We celebrated Philip’s 28th birthday while together, and Philip really enjoyed that family trip. It meant so much to him to be able to spend time with his sister Beverly, who he was so proud of and adored, and James, and his brother Kenny and Kim and Kyle. He always looked forward to Kenny and Kim and Michelle and James and their families coming down for our annual 4th of July get together. And then, he’d be so disappointed the times it wouldn’t work out for him to spend time with them.
Probably not many people know this, but Phil had a collection of family photos that he took with him every time he was in rehab. When I would go to visit him, no matter where he was he always had those photos taped to his mirror in his bed area. He would cry to me when he would miss yet another wedding, baptism, or other significant event in our family, that he just couldn’t physically attend. Please don’t think for a moment that he wasn’t there with each and every one of you in spirit and in his heart. If a family’s love could have saved him, our Philip would be with us today. We loved him so very much, but he was a troubled young man who just couldn’t cope in our world here on earth. I pray that he will find peace in heaven with his family waiting for him there. You see he’s not alone. We have some of the best of the best already there waiting with open arms to hold our boy and guide him to a better place. He’s in God’s hands now and they are much stronger than ours.
(GRAVESIDE) My Philip loved to sleep, so now my son, you sleep. Lay peacefully by the water’s edge with your cousin Michael at your side to keep each other company in eternal life. May God watch over our boys, and may God watch over us as we grieve and heal and mourn the loss of our son, our family member, our friend, I will always love you Philip and you will always be with me. Goodnight my child. Rest In Peace Sept 16th 2009
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Many thanks for your support. Sincerely, Jeanne M Davies