Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Today is already a hard day. I woke up at 6 am with all the questions about Wyatt's death, that we haven't got answers for, swirling in my head. I just don't understand how he could have fallen from a fifth story window so easily. I talked to the mother of the volunteer that was right in front of him when he fell. He wasn't running or putting undue pressure on the window at all. He simply took a step backward and leaned into the glass. Why was the window so big and low to the ground? Why wasn't there safety glass in the big fifth floor window? I have asked a asked the Peace Corps and the Hotel Edinburgh owner to send me pictures. They don't respond. I want a full accident report. Don't we have a right to it? I don't know if CPR was performed. I did find out from the funeral director that he landed on his feet, both ankles were broken. He said Wyatt didn't have bruising or lacerations on his chest at all. The death certificate says he died from shock and a lacerated lung. But his left lung and his heart were not damaged. The witnesses say he had a weak pulse for about 20 minutes. It took 30 minutes for emergency care to arrive. I am so frustrated! I know it won't change anything, after all the questions are answered my son will still be dead. I am so distraught. Why did he have to die? Why wasn't there a miracle for him? These are the questions I ask God, over and over again. There won't be an answer. I feel like my life is over, shattered like glass at my feet. And yet the sun came up again today, and I am trapped in this god forsaken world.

I'm sorry. Thank you for listening.

7 comments:

:lauren: said...

Always listening, Jeannie... always.

Keep pushing to find the answers you need. You DO deserve that much.

much love to you...

Anonymous said...

I hope you get answers to these questions, because I have been trying to figure out how all this could have happened. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I'm troubled that we don't seem to know what actually happened and I'm very disturbed that these questions are not being answered. I have been hoping there would be a full investigation of what happened, just to get some resolution on some of these questions. It's incredible to me that you are encountering such lack of response. You entrusted your boy to the Peace Corps, and although accidents can happen anywhere and there are extra risks travelling overseas, you at least deserve a full account.

Have you contacted your Senator or House representative? Try and get them to have someone from their office to write to the appropriate people with the information.

Lauren said...

Jeannie, I hope you get the answers you need. I'm sorry it's so hard. Trust that we're all out here listening and will do anything you need us to.

With love.

Anonymous said...

Keep fighting for those answers. You guys have every right to know what went on, and the fact that no one has responded just shows lack of respect in the highest account. You guys are in our prayers. Let me know if you need anything. See ya in a few days.

Devin Smyth said...

Even those of us that were there that night are asking the same questions that you are. I know it must have been a difficult Christmas for you and your family without Wyatt. I'm sure that Wyatt was there with you in spirit. All of us here in Zambia were thinking of you as well. I'm sorry that you did not get his journal. I was not in contact with any of his belongings before they were sent to you, but if I catch wind of any information about it I will be sure to pass it on to you.

Anonymous said...

keep pushing to get answers! let us know if there is anything we can do to help. write the senators. anything!

Marissa said...

Jeannie, please don't be sorry. You're perfectly allowed to feel this way, and some days I think most or all of us do. Even though things will never be quite the same, I'm learning more and more every day that all of us have a purpose here and a time that we must go. Take care and be strong - I'd give you a big hug if I could.