For the past 3 years I have been organizing an event called Santa's Workshop in memory of Branden and the love for all my children.  Santa's Workshop receives donations of new or near new items ( clothing, toys, giftable items of any sort).  I find an empty store location and set it up like a thrift store.  Low income families are then able to shop for immediate family members of all ages.  Immediate family members are children, spouses, brothers, sisters, parents.  They are able to obtain 3 outfits and 3 giftable items per person on there "shopping" list.  Santa's Workshop has helped hundreds of people have a christmas.  I loved christmas with my kids, expecially shopping and picking out their gifts.  That is how Santa's Workshop came to be.  This year 2008 over 700 people of all ages each had 3 outfits and 3 gifts.  What a wonderful gift to be able to receive such wonderful donations to be able to host a wonderful and most needed event in memory and in honor of my children.  I am so proud, humbled and honored that so many people gave so generously.  A special thank you to all who have donated.

Bethany, Breanne and Branden's Mom

April 27^th marks the 7th anniversary of my son 
Branden Braddock’s death.  Each year on this day I ask family and friends to participate in a random act of kindness in his memory.  Branden was a very kind hearted young man and to try and honor his life I find that doing something nice for someone helps keep the day, a day of love instead of sadness.  Examples of random acts of kindness are: paying for the person behind you in a drive thru meal, purchasing a gift card and leaving it with the cashier at any business to pay for someone’s purchase, picking up the check of a mother and son who are having dinner, sending flowers to a special person.  Of course not all acts of kindness have to involve money.  Make sure that you tell the people who you love how important they are to you, help someone load their groceries in their car or leave a note for someone recognizing and appreciating their work, help someone with their work day or chores.  Leave your kindness card to the recipient and hopefully the kindness will continue and the day will be filled of good memories and intentions. These are only examples and if you chose to participate in this beautiful way to honor my sons life and the love we shared then please be creative and share your experiences on Branden’s website, www.branden-braddock.memory-of.com   To learn more about the Random Acts of Kindness, grief or to make a donation please visit www.missfoundation.org

Thank you,

Michele Newton, Branden's Mom

I learned that as parents we have to stay in control of our childrens care even when going into a hospital.  Like so many other parents you put your faith in the doctors and the hospitals that care for our children.  In an emergency situation when decisions are made by others your hope is that they have the knowledge and experience to make the right decision.  But how are you to know? I have had many hospital experiences thoughout my life and I always believed and trusted in the doctors and hospitals that treated me.  It wasn't the injury that killed Branden.  The injury is what caused him to need emergency medical care.  The medical care he received or should I say didn't receive is what killed my son.  If there was ever a lesson that I learned was that you have to continue to advocate for your childs care.  You have to ask many questions, get second or third opinions.  Start a notebook as soon as you walk into a hospital.  Document who is caring for your child.  What they tell you.  Write your questions down so that you will remember them.  Try to learn about the injury or sickness that has lead your child to need medical care. I remember arguing about Branden's discharge, knowing it wasn't right to discharge him.  I play it over and over in my head.  I put my trust in the health care system and the knowledge of the doctors and the care he received.  It is a mistake that cost me the life of my son.  It is a mistake I can never take back.  Never give your childs care up to anyone.   Find out about the doctors who are caring for your child and question everything they do.  Who would know that a mother should of been arguing for brain surgery on her son?  I was so relieved at the moment that they decided not to operate and now I know it was the moment when the doctors made the decision that killed my son.  After Branden's death I got a crash course in head injurys and hemotomas.   Branden should of never died.  Branden should of had the medical care he deserved.  Branden's injury was so easy to of taken care of in the medical world that it compairs to removing an appendix.  This is knowledge that is so hard to live with.  My only hope is that this mistake is never made again. 
 Branden's Mother, Michele