Grieving the death of a child is every parentâs worst nightmare. While you may believe that nothing could be worse than this type of loss, one familyâs pain has been compounded by the opinions of strangers on the internet. Imogen Lennon, 5, of Canowindra in New South Wales, Australia, died on January 16, and internet trolls have been shaming her parents ever since.
Imogen had just come from swimming lessons and was talking with her mom as she ate a deli hot dog. Tragically, as she was talking, Imogen began choking on the snack and later died. As a result of her death, family friend Tamara Harrison launched an online fundraiser to help the family cover funeral costs. But things did not go as planned.
A family friend was shocked by the response to the loss of her friend's daughter.
Harrison was shocked at the response. She told Daily Mail Australia that she has been bombarded with nasty emails from people claiming that the family doesnât deserve the money because they didnât do enough to save Imogenâs life.
Harrison says that could not have been further from the truth. âImogen was sitting in the back of the car and has taken in a big breath of air as she was eating and began choking," Harrison told the Daily Mail.
Imogen's mother is a first-aid officer.
â[Samantha Lennon] pulled over straight away. She is a first aid officer â her sister is also a nurse. She knew what to do in that situation. She did everything she could. Imogen even bit her hand when she tried to get the [frankfurter] out of her throat," Harrison explained.
The mother was even assisted by a passerby. When Lennon realized the ambulance was too far away, she rushed Imogen to the hospital. Imogen died there later that day.
Online trolls offered criticism and commentary on Samantha's parenting choices.
When Imogenâs story was shared online, instead of condolences, people offered criticism. âYou have a duty to the kids in your care to know how to apply First Aid,â one person wrote on Facebook.
Others wrote about not letting children eat in the car. Despite the doubters, the GoFundMe, which sought to raise around $18,000 has exceeded its goal and raised close to $20,000.
Harrison has chosen to honor Imogen's life.
Ignoring the negativity, Harrison has sought to honor Imogenâs life and comfort her mother. She told the Daily Mail about Imogenâs âloud and energeticâ personality. She also talked about how she recently heard the sound of her own voice for the first time.
She explained how Imogen, who was born with a hearing impairment, received a hearing aid. âShe put it in, and she said, âIs that my voice mummy?ââ Harrison recalled. Imogen was set to start kindergarten later this year.
Harrison and the Lennons hope to work to save other families from experiencing this fate.
Since Imogenâs death, Harrison, also a nurse, has learned about LifeVac. The American-made airway-clearing device could have been a potential lifesaver. But Harrison and many of her colleagues had never heard of it, despite it being approved and for sale in Australia. The device is a portable suction, complete with a mask and plunge-like lever, reported the Daily Mail.
Harrison is working alongside the Lennons to set up a foundation to ensure no other family has to suffer in this way. In their own lives, the Lennons plan to honor Imogen on what would have been her sixth birthday. âFor her birthday this year, Imogen wanted to go bowling. So on May 24, that is what they will all be doing,â Harrison said.
