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.
Lizzo’s dramatic weight loss, explained
Lizzo has earned her place as one of the best pop stars of our time. She made history by becoming the first African American woman to win the Grammy for Record of the Year since Whitney Houston. She also holds the record for the longest-running solo song by a female rapper with her hit song “Truth Hurts,” which topped the charts in 2016.
Even with all her achievements, Lizzo’s appearance has frequently been a big topic of discussion. She has received both praise and criticism for promoting body positivity. Recently, her weight loss has sparked more controversy. Here’s what you should know about Lizzo’s weight loss and how she has responded to her critics.
Is Lizzo taking Ozempic?
Lizzo has been sharing her weight loss journey on Instagram. However, some people have accused her of using the weight loss medication Ozempic to help her lose weight quickly.
On September 22, Lizzo used Instagram to respond to rumors about her using Ozempic. She shared a screenshot of a comment that suggested she was relying on outside help to lose weight, asking, “Did she use Ozempic or did she snort coke?” In reply, Lizzo wrote, “Whyyyy do u follow me?”
She denied taking Ozempic and told her fans that her weight loss comes from a dedicated workout routine. In a sarcastic tone, she posted a video saying, “When you finally get Ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit.”
Did Lizzo get weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery has also been a topic of conversation regarding Lizzo’s transformation. Many fans are surprised by the big changes in her appearance over the past five months and wonder if she might have had surgery to achieve these results.
Lizzo has denied using surgery or other drastic measures to lose weight, saying she loves her body no matter what size she is. She shared a video on Instagram showing her weight loss journey, with the caption: “Fine both ways.”
Even though some have accused her of body shaming her backup dancers and others privately, Lizzo has kept a positive attitude. She may have lost weight, but she still supports body positivity.
Leave a Reply