It's been three years and still I wait

Three years ago today Ethan's life, my daughter's life and all of my family's lives where changed, because of the choices that certain members of the Salvation Army Amphi Corps made. Choices that would forever have an impact on the life of an innocent little boy.

It's been three years and I'm still waiting for these people to admit and accept responsibility. I know I wait in vain. I know that sadly the truth is that this organization cares much more about their public image than in doing the right thing by Ethan and my family. This organization cares nothing about the feelings of one grandmother, whose whole life was turned upside down. Who has had to sit by and watch my daughter struggle with financial worries, and medical worries where Ethan is concerned.

Sitting by watching them both endure something that no one should have to and yet knowing that this organization, the Salvation Army and it's hired lawyers care more about their public image than standing up and taking responsibility. It almost as painful as having to watch Ethan suffer the after math of a non-fatal drowning.

Sadly I sit and watch an organization whom I once cared for and admired treat me and my family like we don't count. Treat us as something that must be dealt with and a secret that must be hidden away.

They want me to go away quietly and never mention their name when I tell Ethan's story, they want to continue to perpetuate an image in that they care for their community. Well Ethan, Rose and I are part of that community and from where I stand it seems to me that they feel that Ethan didn't matter and doesn't count.

It seems to me that my family is to them a 'problem' that needs to be dealt with, a potential black mark on their image.

Well to me Ethan and Rose count, to me having to see the daily struggle and knowing what a bright little boy with such potential now has to endure. It matters to me, he counts. 

Sadly I know that the probability of me ever getting a public acknowledgment of what happened 3 yrs ago and a public apology for what Ethan, Rose and I have had to endure is slim to none. I know that they care more about their public image than apologizing to the grandmother of a little boy. I get that. I get that they are 'afraid' that their organization may be damaged if they were to allow the truth to come out. But what I don't get and cannot accept is that they call themselves a christian organization.

As a christian organization they should know more than anyone what the bible says about keeping things hidden.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."


Luke 8:17 "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."

They can try to sweep this under the rug, act like it never happened and continue to promote themselves as an organization that cares about it's community and is to quote them "Doing the most good"

To me it's a joke. The definition of good is "That which is morally right,  righteousness"
There is nothing morally right or good about the way they have handled not only the decision that went into caring for the children at the summer day camp, but also the way they and their attorneys have handled the aftermath. Nothing they do will ever be good until they can at least stand up and admit their wrongdoings, accept responsibility and acknowledge the truth.

So here we are 3 yrs later and I'm still sitting by the bedside of a little boy who should be enjoying the summer activities other little boys are enjoying. 3 yrs later and I still wait for an apology that will probably never come.

They can try to forget Ethan Bennett ever existed as a bright and healthy boy. They can try to forget it was their decisions that led to this tragedy. They can try to forget me, Rose and Ethan ever existed, but as for me I WILL NEVER forget.

I will continue to promote water safety and continue to try to protect other children from the nightmare of a near-drowning and it's horrible aftermath. I wouldn't want any other family to have to endure what we've had to endure.