We need to recognize emerging problems and stop them before they put our children at risk. There has to be a way!
The following Email was sent to:
• New York Daily News
• New York Post
• The New York Times
• Poughkeepsie Journal
• King Features Syndicate
Subject: "Choking Game" Kills Teens
The "Choking Game" (aka: space monkey, space cowboy, knockout, gasp, rising sun) is a dangerous mutation of games of old which involve hyperventilation to get a brief sensation of light-headedness, kind of a "high". We did it back in the '50's by holding our breath and "pushing", similar to what people do when they try to unclog their ears as they descend on an airplane. The latest version involves near-strangulation and is either administered by a "friend" or is self-inflicted--it is a DEADLY game. It has already taken the lives of many of our children. In some cases, doubt is raised as to whether the "game" or suicide caused death.
This new form a game playing, often deadly, needs widespread attention. The media has jumped on this deadly game and much coverage has been dedicated to the issue. Yet, I find few people who have a clue, including parents and grandparents of adolescents.
The challenge for all of us is to find a way to raise the awareness of the problem. I find it deplorable that internet sites are permitted to exist that demonstrate the "techniques" of the "Choking Game".
I have dedicated 650 hours of research and 95 posts on a blogsite, "Save Our Children", providing personal commentary and resources to parents and grandparents to raise awareness and "Take Action" web sources . What we need is a coalition of dedicated advocates to protect the well-being of our youth. I hope to someday see a major reform in our education system that provides an ongoing program starting in grade school and on up through college.
I will be undeterred in my personal crusade to strike before it's too late. Our society has the mentality of taking action only after disasters have happened. We need to recognize emerging problems and stop them before they put our children at risk. There has to be a way!
I received the following comment from one of my readers:
"I am a grandmother in CA who believes now the what was termed a suicide in her granddaughter's death is nothing less then some crazy prank game gone wrong. She hung her self with her Mother's bathrobe belt from a closet door nob. Her twin sister found her dead. She was that type of 14 year old who could try something wild just to see if her friends were right."
Another reader wrote:
"Thank you for your time and energy spent on spreading the word about this dangerous thrill seeking behavior.
There are so many children that have lost their live from playing this sick game.
As with your comment on 'hoping' to get this into the schools, that is something I have been trying to do since shortly after I lost my son, Gabriel to this on May 6, 2005.
I encourage you to keep going, to keep trying to save our children."
I and others like me need help in "spreading the word". I hope you will join us in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Sidney J Gibson
Garrison, NY