It was Thanksgiving in Maine, and 11-year-old Oakley Debbs was on vacation with his family. Oakley, a top student from West Palm Beach, Florida, was also a star athlete, even though he had asthma and food allergies.
For the holiday, his family had ordered a Thanksgiving basket full of treats. Oakley chose to have a piece of cake from the basket.
Tragically, something went wrong after he ate the cake, leading to a heartbreaking event. His family and friends are now working to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Despite his asthma and nut allergies, Oakley loved playing tennis, football, soccer, and even running marathons. His family remembers him as a “brave and strong warrior” who fought hard against his conditions.
On November 24, Oakley Debbs, an 11-year-old, had a piece of pound cake that was left on the kitchen table where his family was staying in Maine. His mom, Merrill Debbs, said Oakley always checked labels to avoid nuts and didn’t see any warnings.
“He thought it was just a piece of cake,” his dad, Robert Debbs, explained. “But after he ate it, he mentioned it might have nuts.” Merrill agreed the cake had a nutty taste, which turned out to be walnut.
Merrill gave Oakley Benadryl, as they usually did for allergic reactions, and he said he felt fine. At that point, he only had a small hive on his lip.
But soon after, Oakley complained of chest pain and started vomiting. His parents called 911, but by the time the ambulance arrived ten minutes later, Oakley was blue. His airway had closed, and his heart had stopped.
I’m writing on behalf of Robert J. Debbs, Merrill Debbs, and Oakley’s twin sister, Olivia. It is with a heavy heart that I…
Posted by Tyler Debbs Squire on Saturday, November 26, 2016
The family struggled to accept Oakley’s tragic death and understand why he couldn’t be saved.
“I don’t think my beautiful, amazing son should have passed away,” Merrill said.
In response, the family started the Red Sneaker Foundation to teach people about anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. They chose red sneakers as a symbol because Oakley loved them, hoping to increase awareness about food allergies.
Posted by Red Sneakers For Oakley on Thursday, December 1, 2016
Experts recommend using epinephrine for even mild allergic reactions. Merrill said, “Oakley was a rock star, a good kid. I always knew he’d make a difference—just not after he passed away. That’s a big part of why we’re doing this.”
Please share this story to help raise awareness about food allergies and prevent future tragedies.
5 Ways to Quickly Check If There’s a Hidden Camera in Your Dressing Room
Privacy is perceived differently across the world. For example, in Germany, very few offices have open doors, while in America, this is quite common. However, nobody would be okay with secretly being watched, especially during private activities.
We at Bright Side want to warn you: some retailers do place hidden cameras in their fitting rooms, but with these tips, you may be able to spot them.
1. Scan the room for suspicious objects.
The easiest way to find hidden cameras is to look around and check your surroundings carefully. An inch-by-inch search can help to spot rather “obvious” signs right away. Pay special attention to objects like wall decor, lamps, shelves, etc. Any suspicious wires, lenses, or lights could belong to a hidden camera.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
Surveillance cameras usually work on Wi-Fi, so you can find one by connecting to the network available in the room. Then you’ll need to use a special app to see what other devices are connected to the same network. Keep an eye out for devices that show a camera manufacturer name or list things like “IP camera.”
3. Use your phone’s flashlight.
Mirrors are one of the easiest places to hide a camera in a fitting room, so you should carefully check them. If there’s an opportunity to turn off the lights, try to do so and use the flashlight on your phone to peer through the mirror. Light shined against a mirror, allowing you to see beyond it, may reveal the presence of a hidden camera on the other side of it.
4. Stare into the mirror.
Fitting rooms are the perfect place to use 2-way mirrors because one of its sides will be brightly lit, and the other can be kept in the dark. So you need to put your eyes up against the glass, block out light with your hands, and you should be able to see through the mirror and detect if it’s actually a 2-way.
5. Touch the mirror.
When you touch a regular mirror, there’s always a small gap between your finger and its reflection. If you see it, you can be sure the mirror is real. However, if your fingers appear to be touching in the reflection, it’s probably a 2-way mirror and you’re being watched.
Have you ever seen a hidden camera in an inappropriate place? Tell us the story!
Preview photo credit depositphotos.com
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