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Safety Awareness Month 2016

 

 

June is National Safety Awareness Month.

We here at WildfarmKids•com are all about keeping our youth safe and we do this by providing free information to those around children.

What do you live for? Everyone has something they live to see or experience. No matter what your passion is. We would like to encourage you all to take some sort of action to highlight the importance of keeping your children and family safe. Read through our website to learn more about the hazards of the choking game and the signs and symptoms to look for.

Each year we can not stress enough how important it is to know the warning signs.

Schools are letting out for Summer break, watch out for your children’s safety!
As our youth go off to summer camps and recreational programs keep in mind not every second will be monitored. Children talk and share things. They share games and experiences. They share the choking game never understanding the dangerous consequences.

Know the signs before it’s too late!

Physical warning signs:
●Bruises around the neck
●Frequent, often severe headaches
●Bloodshot eyes or small, red facial spots
●Disorientation after being alone

In the Home:
●Sheets, belts, neckties, scarves, robe ties, T-shirts or ropes tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs, or found knotted on the floor or wear marks from being tied.

Socially:
●Mentioning choking games, showing curiosity about asphyxiation
●Having a history of Internet searches about choking games
●Placing choke hold or sleeper hold on others while playing or talk about having been placed in one
●Small child mimicking the choking game (from seeing someone playing it)

In the pool:
●Trying to see how long they can hold their breath under water
(may result in having a shallow water blackout)

If you notice any of these signs, your child may be experimenting with or playing the choking game.

Risk is real, don’t take the chance.
Talk to your children about this, they may know more then you are aware of.

WildfarmKids

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WEEK TWO

WildfarmKids•com would like to share this with you as part of National Safetry and Awareness Month;

National Weather Service and Homeland Security and Emergency Management have designated June 9, 2016 as Heat Awareness Day.

Most Summers in the United States produce heat waves that bring health risks if precautions are not taken. Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year and even more heat-related illnesses. During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged due to decreased evaporation of sweat. When your body can no longer adequately cool itself or when too much water or salt is lost through sweating, your body temperature rises and heat-related illness can occur.

In 2015, there were 24 vehicular heatstroke children deaths in the United States. Never leave children or pets in a vehicle. Look before you lock! The temperature in a vehicle can quickly become deadly. If the outside temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, in 10 minutes the temperature inside the vehicle will be near 100 degrees, in 30 minutes near 115 degrees and in 1 hour, near 125 degrees.

During periods of hot and humid weather:

• Drink water often

• Take breaks and cool down

• Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect sunlight

• Eat light and easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads

• Make sure pets and livestock have access to water

• Check on neighbors

Sharing information is our way of caring for others.

#WildfarmKidsCare

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54 Months

 

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… shared from WildfarmKidsMama’s Facebook tonight…

I was looking through all the “54” bench marks. Days, Weeks, and now Months… How ironic that his unofficial senior year would have started today four and a half years from his death.  I am still waiting on Jesus so in the meantime I will share my faith, smile and cry a little when no one is paying attention…

It’s still a good day; just a sad night…

Buts that’s life right….

“54” months now.  What’s that song “if we could turn back time, to the good ole days” …

No, no matter how many times the days or weeks before Joshua’s death replays in my mind it would have still ended the same because I was not educated about the choking game. God took Joshy and no amount of prayer will bring him back… But I will see him someday, maybe “54” hours or days or weeks, months years??? Only God knows when that reunion will be but I know with all my heart it will take place because I did make sure Joshy knew God and had Jesus in his heart ♡

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

 

Please continue to share the warning signs with your friends and families.

Blessings  #54 #WildfarmKidsMama

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History #WildfarmKids

 

WildfarmKids History

A dream was dreamt a long time ago. After a decade, a farm was bought (Wildfarm) and our home went from 3 to 6 children (Kids) = WildfarmKids.  (Wild animals Farm animals and our Kids. )

As social media boomed, we decided to aquire the url WildfarmKids .com and .org for fun and sharing. Many things in life happened over the years and we always put off the website and then our middle son  Joshua died. What was the choking gamechoking game. The information that is out there is so old and medical. We had to step up and get this information to the parents. Our oldest daughter Keri had a class that required the students to build a website. Keri used our momentum of educating others on a local level of just a ripple to a wave of education reaching international views with the website. In 2012 Keri gave her presentation  to Simpson college showcasing the website, and it’s social media conterparts Facebook and Twitter. (We now have Tumblr, Pinterest too.) 

Keri won the Simpson College Iron Journalist  Award that day. Her research, skills and the passion to help others is what has made this site what it is today. She posted a thank you to everyone the next day on here.

To date we are just shy of 90,000 seperate ip address views to the site. With an estimated 3x more via social media and other websites sharing our posts. There have been thousands of hard copies of the information sent out and distributed.  As Keri’s mom I continue to thank all teachers from kindergarten through college, all her coaches over the years and her 4H leaders/mentors and of course all the Sunday school, vbs and Church groups she has been involved with too. All these people outside our family also encouraged and taught Keri and reinforced things from not giving up, to getting up in front of a crowd of people. Athletes/cheering, speeches/fine arts and presentations/showing livestock.

In 2012 with confidence and emotions she stood in front of many of her peers and explained the website. God bless her and thank you everyone that helped us raise our daughter. She is an amazing lady, an inspiring and involved older sister and a devoted bride. She continues to mentor and volunteers in many community outreach programs. Always approachable and ready to tell anyone about our mission. 

God Bless you all for following and sharing out site,

WildfarmKidsMama

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.”~Proverbs 22:6 

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WildfarmKids vs TheChokingGame

 

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Whether it’s done as a dare, a rite of passage or a desire to get high without using drugs or alcohol, the choking game has potentially deadly consequences. Youth ages 6 to 21+ have died as a result of this. Media calls it “the Good Kids High” because parents are blindsided when tragidy happens to children that are good students, popular and are active in school, sports, church and community volunteering.

It is our primary mission here at WildfarmKids.com to educate parents about the choking game. (aka the pass out game ) Since 2011 we have advocated to explain what to do if you think your child or their friends may be involved in this dangerous activity. It is important to have a conversation with your child and talk to them about it. There are not many schools across the world that even warn parents this is possibly happening.

After the death of our son; and the creation of this site, my family has covered all the expenses in running it. Now we need help for getting more information out. Our goal is to be able to upgrade the website and be able to continue to mail out flyers and parent packets. Advertising, print and postage costs have become overwhelming. That is a good thing yet we do not have the budget to cover this increase.  We also would like to have funds to cover the cost for traveling to give our presentations to parents, guardians and all the caregivers.  We do not charge for presentations or materials requested from the website because we want as many people as possible to be educated.

https://www.gofundme.com/wildfarmkids

No one warned us, we were blindsided. Help us continue to spread awareness and be victorious over the choking game.

Bless you and Thank you in advance;

WildfarmKids family

 

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Cast down a Crown

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You know when you look at your kids and watch them truly enjoy something; then your mind starts looking to the future; well I can testify that I used to do that. I had this week planned out to be hanging out at Wells Fargo Arena for the Iowa High School Wrestling Championships. I have been following the boys that Joshy wrestled with and at times against. I now look at them and wonder how Josh would look and what weight he would have wrestled at. He had talent and anyone who watched him could see it. Oh he wasn’t all about going to every aau meet possible. This was a seasonal sport for him. Church before sports too. He was naturally a scrapper and that’s a lot of what wrestling is till the boys get older and start using their experience and training of “if opponent does this, then I do that” and it would be rewarded.  This was just one passion of my farm boy. He was involved in many activities.

Yes I thought when Joshy started wrestling so many years ago that our family would be cheering him on this week for his Junior year at the State Wrestling Meet and again next year as a Senior too for Bondurant-Farrar.

In a blink our family was blindsided, Josh was gone from our lives and plans changed, all of them but one …

You are wondering what that one plan was that remains. The plan is for my children to go the Heaven when they die because they have Jesus in their heart. They believe in God. I know Joshy is in Heaven. He cast down his crown of gold at the feet of Jesus just as the Bible says believers will. That crown was worth more the any trophy or metal could ever be. Only by faith did Joshy receive it.

Reading this; you can educate others about the choking game. Take action and although you may not be made aware of it; a family somewhere will continue to cheer their child on at whatever activities, be they sports, fine arts, clubs or just job well done. Sharing knowledge saves others lives.

Prayers for safety to all wrestlers, cheerleaders, coaches, parents and fans traveling  and participating at the state meet.

Blessings to all;

WildfarmKids Mama & family

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”    James 1:12 

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Happy New Year 2016

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Happy New Year!
We wish you all the best in 2016. May you fulfill your resolutions and be an encouraging light for all those around you. Cherish your time with family and friends, and don’t forget to say, “I love you.”
Peace, Blessings and Love; WildfarmKids family

How to Pay it Forward.

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Four Years

4 years.
Can you remember November 21st 2011; 4 years ago? The day, the night, a moment or even what day it was? It was a Monday. I remember it completely…
My son died that night….

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Thank you for visiting this website page and thank you for reading our posts. If you are new to our site, Please look around on the tabs. We educate parents and guardians about this dangerous activity. It is simple! Just start the conversation! Just ask, Do you know about the choking game?  Simple. Ask friends and family and anyone your children interact with. The coach, teachers, their doctor, find out what they know. Be proactive and share this website on your social media connections.
The holidays are near and one place setting is forever empty at our table. If only we had known. If someone would have just shared this information with us.
We go forward with a mission and this fourth anniversary my family and I reaffirm our commitment to educating about the choking game activity.

Bless you for visiting and please share our story. Have a safe holiday and give thanks.
#WildfarmKids Mama and family

“Now that you know, what will you do?”

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Assurance

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… when my heart is so heavy that I just don’t know what to do; I visit my son. I read my Bible and pray. I pray this world comes to know God and all the blessings He has promised all who believe in Him.

Jesus said this to assure us all in the Gospel of John16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Blessings and Prayers of Peace Hope and Love

~ WildfarmKids Family

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D.A.R.E Red Ribbon Week 2015

(Shared from the WildfarmKids Mama’s journal)

… Week 205 …
I wake up each morning, I say my prayers before I open my eyes. It is late October 2015. Soon lil ChadJoseph​​ will come in to snuggle just before the sun will rise like clock work, our daily routine. Now the house becomes busy with the kiddos getting ready for school, it’s D.A.R.E. Red Ribbon Week.

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Each day has a different theme and the message is to say no to drugs. Say no to taking someone elses prescription. Say no to drinking and smoking! Parents are encouraged to have “the talks” as the students participate in dressing in class colors or mis-matched clothing or wear mustaches or crazy hair or socks, the list goes on. The point is to #JustSayNo to drugs and peer pressure to try anything harmful.

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WildfarmKids has a red ribbon too and ours is outlined in gold and black. It is the Choking game awareness ribbon. Just like drugs can harm and kill our children so can the choking game. 

The choking game is about an adrenaline rush. 

Our body produces the hormone adrenaline, a good thing except when it is manipulated to surge through the body because oxygen is being blocked from the brain (the choking game). The adrenaline happens because the body is fighting to survive. The adrenaline is addictive, that rush of wow that was close, wow did you see that, wow I am fearless! Climbing trees, riding a bike as fast as possible towards a wall or garage door and at the last second turning or braking! That’s a kid and an adrenaline rush.  Whoa! Cool, Did you see that. Well if the brakes fail or the turn isn’t quick enough. Bam, bruised or broken. What about the teen and driving fast, same thing, taking a corner too fast or speeding down a gravel road dust flying… “the Adrenaline rush” .   How about simple, jumping off the diving board, the high board, the wow of doing it, the accomplishment feeling, that good feeling, it is adrenaline pumping and it feels good, scary to a point but wow that rush. Yes it is addictive. It is not just youth, adults too. So now think of that high, that rush, how it makes you feel on top of the world…  now think of your child and the choking game. No bike, no tree, no pool, your child wants it. Maybe at a party or just sitting at home in their bedroom; they want that rush, they crave it. But they don’t have the facts. They know a fall from the tree will hurt, they know a crash could be break or bruise them, but they don’t ever believe they could die. Not them, maybe someone else but never them. Now why parents do you think your child would not consider it fatal when I know you have warned them to be careful on their bikes or careful climbing the tree…
   What if you didn’t know your child was playing a deadly activity that kids become addicted to. Then hours later, some have seizures, some break and bruise and yes some die in a hospital on life support. The headaches that can’t be explained. The sore itchy eyes that interrupt daily routines and make reading almost impossible. What does the doctor say, the school say, what does your child say happened? 
What if it is the choking game. Have you considered it could be. Have you had the talk about it. In 3 minutes your child could die. No fear, no disobedience, no knowledge and with out you being aware. Your happy, fearless, smart child could die and you are blindsided… Wait, hold on, you can not be blindsided because you have the information here, you have the facts, you have this knowledge. Take 3 minutes and start a conservation. Talk to your children about the choking game when you talk to them about peer pressure, and drugs. It is a conversation worth having. We encourage you to share what is true, the facts before someone else gives them false information.

The Choking Game ribbon is outlined in gold because our children are treasures, the black is because we grieve for them and the red is our everlasting love for them. 

Blessings, Prayers and Encouraging hope, 

~ WildfarmKidsMama & Family

“Now that you know, what will you do?”

Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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Speak Up

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OCTOBER 11th is WORLDWIDE CHOKING-GAME AWARENESS DAY
Please take some time on this day to speak up and discuss pass out games like the choking game with the people around you. Make the awareness ribbon your profile picture, share a post or just start a conservation. Take action and together we can save lives.

We would also like you to read how this deadly game has affected other families.

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“In May 2006, 4 short months after Kelly’s death, I began doing presentations in local schools with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), with Sault Ste. Marie City Police, as well as doing presentations on my own.  I am willing to do presentations both locally and beyond.  There is a power point presentation that I use.  This presentation has a very powerful audio 911 call and was put together by Police Officer, Scott Methany from Pennsylvania who has worked with other parents to put this power point together to bring awareness. I do presentations for all ages, including parents and grandparents (my favorite group is parents, because like me, we think this would never happen to our family. But it does.) I speak to community interest groups and churches.  I am willing to speak to any interested groups, whether large or small. I present on my own now and have the full encouragement and support of our local city police, OPP, RCMP, First Nations Police Services and our local public board of education.” ~ Debbie LaRocque

Read more from Debbie listed under Kelly’s Story  on our tab “Other Stories”

Have a blessed day, filled with hope and love,
~ WildfarmKids Family

“Now that you know, what will you do”