Supporters talk about their experiences with Project Lifesaver
Jennifer Testimonial
I commend this county for getting this program. Our county Sheriff started this program 3 years ago at my request to protect my son who was then 3 years old. My son was the first one to receive a bracelet, and since then 14 other people have them. Three of our surrounding counties have started this program too! I have had close calls with my son, 2 in the past week but so far we haven’t had to call the police to search for him. I wish every community nationwide had this program so that all our loved ones would be safe no matter where we took them. Maybe someday. Until then thank you to the communities who value our special needs loved ones enough to offer this little added peace of mind. I refuse to move any where that doesn’t have this program, that is how important it is to me and my family. You guys deserve ALL the credit for keeping our loved ones safe. I am so grateful for this program, and grateful that our sheriff was so quick on starting it in our community when it was brought up to him. Keep up the good work. You guys really do save lives. Thank you Project Lifesaver for bringing our loved ones home!
Thank you for all you do. Your program, Project Lifesaver, has benefited many families. Our son, Mathew Frank, passed away 4 years ago and because of you and Sgt. Tim Sutton, Mathew’s amazing spirit and Sgt. Sutton’s big heart, many new counties in the metro Richmond area got on board with your program.
We included a picture of our son Mathew Frank and Sgt Sutton as they appeared in several newspapers as well as local news stations and remember Project Lifesaver with a special place and an important role in every community. You can find the picture at www.resourceconnection inc.org on the “In honor of” page.
Many times I’m asked why I keep Nathan in the Project Lifesaver program as he is now 18 and is very verbal and being “a walking GPS” as he is keenly aware of his surroundings and knows how to get home from school and everywhere else we go in Hampton Roads.
I answer them by saying that Nathan will probably always wear his transmitter as it not only gives me “peace of mind” but it actually gives Nathan “peace of mind” as he’s always felt “safe” when he wears it.
I still remember the night you came to our house back in December, 1999 to enroll Nathan in the program. Even at that young age, Nathan was very aware that wearing the transmitter was important as we stressed to him that it would keep him safe…..I guess that’s why he feels so secure when wearing it!
I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for enrolling Nathan in Project Lifesaver and for allowing me to be a part of this most wonderful program!
I still get so excited when talking with a parent about what a great program we have!
My name is Brandi Fletcher and I am the oldest sister of a recipient of the services of Project Lifesaver. I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of those involved with this wonderful program. My sister is an 8 year-old with Down Syndrome and has a tendency to “explore out of our limits” sometimes. This service has put a tremendous amount of ease in my family’s heart knowing that if Audrey decides to wander off, we have quick intervention before it could be too late. Thank you again and I hope the funding for this program continues on.
I am a proud supporter of Project Lifesaver International. I will continue lobbying for the installment of Project Lifesaver International programs in all communities throughout the world. Every community is affected by someone who may wander, become lost, disoriented, or run off, whether it be from Alzheimers’, dementia, Autism Spectrum disorders or a number of other challenges. All communities across the world deserve the basic peace and safety PLI will ensure. Also, first responders and communities will find enacting saves not only peace of mind, but money and resources. When someone goes missing, most often police and other first responders are called away from other duties for search efforts. Whole communities, and dogs often come in and search. With PLI, the person can be found quickly, safely and with the community being less dependent on volunteers and services of police and others on and off duty. With the rapid and widely spread growth of autism spectrum disorders and related disorders, it is responsible, logical and reasonable to get Project lifesaver enacted as soon as possible in all our communities. All people deserve to be safe and to have some peace of mind. I have read so many testimonials and met people who have the service of Project Lifesaver and they are forever grateful for it. PLI saves lives!
First steps? I will never forget. My husband – who has Lewy Body Disease – started wandering. After getting lost more than 12 times I knew I had to do something. Once we had to remove him from the middle of a US Rt 5 during 5:00 PM rush hour. You don’t forget something like that.
I had tried everything – cell phones, GPS, child locaters, if it was available I looked in to it – found nothing usable. After finding yet more dead ends I sent a PANIC e-mail to everyone in my address book.
I got one response, telling me about Project Lifesaver and how it had been used by snowmobilers and 4 wheelers up in the Adirondacks here in NYS. I was told there was also a small local chapter in Oneida County.
I joined Project Lifesaver (PLI) that day and started hounding the Sheriff in Oneida County from the contact I found on PLI’s web site. He was so kind, but kept insisting he could not help me because I was in Onondaga County and I must contact the sheriff there. I didn’t want to hear this – I only wanted a bracelet to keep my husband safe – and I really didn’t care where it came from.
After listening to me umpteen times he said OK – I will see what I can do. Thus was my introduction with Undersheriff Warren Darby. He called me, and they came to our home. Within just a few minutes the decision was made to introduce PLI into Onondaga County – the only problem was the county had no money to start another program. Together we had to find funding.
I had worked in the legal and insurance end of the industry for 35 years prior to my retirement so I knew a few people. Phone calls started going back and forth and eventually reached Senator DeFrancisco.
In the mean time a letter had been written to our local newspaper about an autistic child getting lost. I called the paper and they put me in touch with the child’s Grandmother. She in turn introduced me to the child’s Mother who is on the board at Casey’s Place – a respite site of challanged children. She thought maybe they would have some money available it she could get a bracelet for her son who is autistic.
Together, with my husband and daughter, the Undersheriff, and the Mother we got an appointment with the Senator. He listened to us for about 5 minutes and asked “How much money do you need?” The first budget was prepared and we asked for $17K.
Within less than 6 months he brought us $25K and called us a news conference with all the local media in attendence. As they say – “The rest is history.” Today – just 4 years later we have 56 bracelets out in the county and 6 Deputies ready, willing, and able to help us as needed – in addition to bringing at least 10 more NY Counties on board.
My husband has come to love the Deputies’ and Warren so much he called them “MY Guys” he knew they would help him when he got lost again. Now “My Guys” will carry him on his final trip ‘Home”.
Warren and I have stood shoulder to shoulder from day one. We continue to go out into the community and do on the spot Presentations about PLI. Our money today comes from local Rotary Clubs, Lyons Clubs, local PBA’s, Vol FF, EMS workers and such. We keep enough on hand so no family has to go without. We give the bracelet and a years’ worth of batteries if the need is there.
I will never forget my PLI story and all the wonderful things Gene Saunders and Warren Darby have done for my husband and myself – nor will I ever find the words to say Thank You to them for all they have done and continue to do on a daily basis for not only my family but for all the PL families throughout the USA!
Thank you again for all your help – I will be there every step of the way if I am needed.
“I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to the new recruits regarding my son Deric, who is on the Project Lifesaver program.
I can not tell you enough how important this program is to us.
Deric has Autism and has no understanding of danger, such as crossing the street, walking on the railroad tracks or checking out a detention pond or even getting into a vehicle with a stranger.”
We did this here in Cherokee County Georgia for my son with autism. The great thing was, we all go to know our local police officers and they got to know my son. They had a game-plan in place in case he ever went missing. It was so detailed they even had one if he went missing from his school. The officers really started to understand my son, and I’ll tell you, that was peace of mind for us! Also, it was provided at no cost to us!! I highly recommend the program!
Sara
Testimonials
Supporters talk about their experiences with Project Lifesaver
Jennifer Testimonial
Joanna Testimonial
Thank you for all you do. Your program, Project Lifesaver, has benefited many families. Our son, Mathew Frank, passed away 4 years ago and because of you and Sgt. Tim Sutton, Mathew’s amazing spirit and Sgt. Sutton’s big heart, many new counties in the metro Richmond area got on board with your program.
We included a picture of our son Mathew Frank and Sgt Sutton as they appeared in several newspapers as well as local news stations and remember Project Lifesaver with a special place and an important role in every community. You can find the picture at www.resourceconnection inc.org on the “In honor of” page.
Thank you, Joanna Frank
June 7, 2010
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Sharon Testimonial
Sir,
Many times I’m asked why I keep Nathan in the Project Lifesaver program as he is now 18 and is very verbal and being “a walking GPS” as he is keenly aware of his surroundings and knows how to get home from school and everywhere else we go in Hampton Roads.
I answer them by saying that Nathan will probably always wear his transmitter as it not only gives me “peace of mind” but it actually gives Nathan “peace of mind” as he’s always felt “safe” when he wears it.
I still remember the night you came to our house back in December, 1999 to enroll Nathan in the program. Even at that young age, Nathan was very aware that wearing the transmitter was important as we stressed to him that it would keep him safe…..I guess that’s why he feels so secure when wearing it!
I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for enrolling Nathan in Project Lifesaver and for allowing me to be a part of this most wonderful program!
I still get so excited when talking with a parent about what a great program we have!
-Sharon Proffitt
May 10, 2010
______________________________________________________________________________
Brandi Testimonial
My name is Brandi Fletcher and I am the oldest sister of a recipient of the services of Project Lifesaver. I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of those involved with this wonderful program. My sister is an 8 year-old with Down Syndrome and has a tendency to “explore out of our limits” sometimes. This service has put a tremendous amount of ease in my family’s heart knowing that if Audrey decides to wander off, we have quick intervention before it could be too late. Thank you again and I hope the funding for this program continues on.
Sincerely,
Brandi M. Fletcher
March 5, 2010
__________________________________________________________________________________
Emily Testimonial
I am a proud supporter of Project Lifesaver International. I will continue lobbying for the installment of Project Lifesaver International programs in all communities throughout the world. Every community is affected by someone who may wander, become lost, disoriented, or run off, whether it be from Alzheimers’, dementia, Autism Spectrum disorders or a number of other challenges. All communities across the world deserve the basic peace and safety PLI will ensure. Also, first responders and communities will find enacting saves not only peace of mind, but money and resources. When someone goes missing, most often police and other first responders are called away from other duties for search efforts. Whole communities, and dogs often come in and search. With PLI, the person can be found quickly, safely and with the community being less dependent on volunteers and services of police and others on and off duty. With the rapid and widely spread growth of autism spectrum disorders and related disorders, it is responsible, logical and reasonable to get Project lifesaver enacted as soon as possible in all our communities. All people deserve to be safe and to have some peace of mind. I have read so many testimonials and met people who have the service of Project Lifesaver and they are forever grateful for it. PLI saves lives!
Emily Malabey, President, ICAA
_________________________________________________________________________________
Ruth Testimonial
First steps? I will never forget. My husband – who has Lewy Body Disease – started wandering. After getting lost more than 12 times I knew I had to do something. Once we had to remove him from the middle of a US Rt 5 during 5:00 PM rush hour. You don’t forget something like that.
I had tried everything – cell phones, GPS, child locaters, if it was available I looked in to it – found nothing usable. After finding yet more dead ends I sent a PANIC e-mail to everyone in my address book.
I got one response, telling me about Project Lifesaver and how it had been used by snowmobilers and 4 wheelers up in the Adirondacks here in NYS. I was told there was also a small local chapter in Oneida County.
I joined Project Lifesaver (PLI) that day and started hounding the Sheriff in Oneida County from the contact I found on PLI’s web site. He was so kind, but kept insisting he could not help me because I was in Onondaga County and I must contact the sheriff there. I didn’t want to hear this – I only wanted a bracelet to keep my husband safe – and I really didn’t care where it came from.
After listening to me umpteen times he said OK – I will see what I can do. Thus was my introduction with Undersheriff Warren Darby. He called me, and they came to our home. Within just a few minutes the decision was made to introduce PLI into Onondaga County – the only problem was the county had no money to start another program. Together we had to find funding.
I had worked in the legal and insurance end of the industry for 35 years prior to my retirement so I knew a few people. Phone calls started going back and forth and eventually reached Senator DeFrancisco.
In the mean time a letter had been written to our local newspaper about an autistic child getting lost. I called the paper and they put me in touch with the child’s Grandmother. She in turn introduced me to the child’s Mother who is on the board at Casey’s Place – a respite site of challanged children. She thought maybe they would have some money available it she could get a bracelet for her son who is autistic.
Together, with my husband and daughter, the Undersheriff, and the Mother we got an appointment with the Senator. He listened to us for about 5 minutes and asked “How much money do you need?” The first budget was prepared and we asked for $17K.
Within less than 6 months he brought us $25K and called us a news conference with all the local media in attendence. As they say – “The rest is history.” Today – just 4 years later we have 56 bracelets out in the county and 6 Deputies ready, willing, and able to help us as needed – in addition to bringing at least 10 more NY Counties on board.
My husband has come to love the Deputies’ and Warren so much he called them “MY Guys” he knew they would help him when he got lost again. Now “My Guys” will carry him on his final trip ‘Home”.
Warren and I have stood shoulder to shoulder from day one. We continue to go out into the community and do on the spot Presentations about PLI. Our money today comes from local Rotary Clubs, Lyons Clubs, local PBA’s, Vol FF, EMS workers and such. We keep enough on hand so no family has to go without. We give the bracelet and a years’ worth of batteries if the need is there.
I will never forget my PLI story and all the wonderful things Gene Saunders and Warren Darby have done for my husband and myself – nor will I ever find the words to say Thank You to them for all they have done and continue to do on a daily basis for not only my family but for all the PL families throughout the USA!
Thank you again for all your help – I will be there every step of the way if I am needed.
Be well, and please stay in touch.
Ruth Boshart
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Seuss Family Testimonial
“I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to the new recruits regarding my son Deric, who is on the Project Lifesaver program.
I can not tell you enough how important this program is to us.
Deric has Autism and has no understanding of danger, such as crossing the street, walking on the railroad tracks or checking out a detention pond or even getting into a vehicle with a stranger.”
Click here to view full article
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Sara Testimonial
We did this here in Cherokee County Georgia for my son with autism. The great thing was, we all go to know our local police officers and they got to know my son. They had a game-plan in place in case he ever went missing. It was so detailed they even had one if he went missing from his school. The officers really started to understand my son, and I’ll tell you, that was peace of mind for us! Also, it was provided at no cost to us!! I highly recommend the program!
Sara