Losing a Child: Always Andy's Mom

Episode 247: TJ's Mom


Listen Later

When grieving mom, Olga, is feeling down and defeated, she will watch a video that her late son, TJ, asked to make while she was working on a project herself. In the video, TJ says, 'We are dedicated and motivated. We do not give up. Even if we are sad, we do not give up. Never.' At the time, TJ was a happy, healthy young 5-year-old boy. He was a joy and a light to all around him. Olga had no idea that he would tragically die just a year later when he drowned at summer camp. As TJ's family mourned TJ, they were struck by the fact that his death was so preventable. TJ's parents did not want another family to suffer this tragedy so they started a foundation just 4 months after TJ's death. TJ's Story has two primary goals. The first goal is to work with legislators in the state of Missouri to enact legislation to improve safety at summer camps. Many camps had policies that recommended a certain number of lifeguards to be present for children to swim. In fact, the camp that TJ attended had such a policy, but when a lifeguard called in sick that day, they went ahead with swimming anyway. TJ's parents hope that if this policy was instead a state law, camps would be more likely to cancel swimming instead of breaking the law. The second goal of TJ's story is to help provide free swim lessons to young children. They currently have an amazing partnership with Goldfish Swim School to help provide lessons. They have amazing fundraisers where they have been able to raise thousands of dollars. Certainly, over these weeks and months following TJ's death, Olga has had periods when she feels like giving up, but TJ's words always come back to her. 'Even if we are sad, we do not give up. Never.' His bright smile and friendly manner will never be forgotten. Olga says that TJ came in like a firecracker and went out like a rainbow, but it seems to me that through TJ's Story, the light of the rainbow is going to keep on shining. Although Olga and her family only had six short years of memories with TJ, their hard work will make it so countless other children will live to be able to create far more memories of their own.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Losing a Child: Always Andy's MomBy Marcy Larson, MD

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

140 ratings


More shows like Losing a Child: Always Andy's Mom

View all
WE DON'T DIE® Radio with host Sandra Champlain by Sandra Champlain

WE DON'T DIE® Radio with host Sandra Champlain

475 Listeners

Grief Out Loud by The Dougy Center

Grief Out Loud

314 Listeners

The Secret Room | True Stories by Ben Hamm

The Secret Room | True Stories

2,824 Listeners

The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast by That Sounds Fun Network

The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast

1,067 Listeners

For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast by Jen Hatmaker

For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast

6,439 Listeners

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

5,118 Listeners

Life After Child Loss: A Parent's Grief by Angela Snowden

Life After Child Loss: A Parent's Grief

42 Listeners

The Gabby Reece Show by Dear Media

The Gabby Reece Show

954 Listeners

DEAD Talks by David Ferrugio

DEAD Talks

436 Listeners

Hey Spirit! with Theresa Caputo by Theresa Caputo

Hey Spirit! with Theresa Caputo

2,193 Listeners

WHEN DATING HURTS by Evergreen Podcasts

WHEN DATING HURTS

346 Listeners

The 10 Ninety Podcast by Mason Sawyer

The 10 Ninety Podcast

161 Listeners

Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor by The Empty Chair Endeavor

Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor

25 Listeners

Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin by Lemonada Media

Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin

234 Listeners

unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver by Audacy | Mary Claire Haver, MD

unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

937 Listeners