Have you ever pondered the notion that every event in your life unfolds for a purpose? It's a challenging concept, particularly when facing adversity and loss, especially with the loss of a child.
In 2018, my world shattered when my son, Yori, just three years old, drowned in a backyard pool. Amidst the suffocating grief, it was the presence of my other three children that kept me afloat. Every morning, I found the strength to get up, driven by the need to guide them through our new reality. I also still had a desire to ‘take care of’ Yori and was compelled by a deeper purpose: to honor his memory and prevent other families from enduring the same heartache. Thus, the seeds of No More Under were planted.
Over the past five years, our organization has made significant strides in promoting water safety. We've provided free swim lessons to over 1,000 children, established life jacket loaner stations where needed, and successfully championed House Bill 1750, also known as Yori’s Law. This, first of its kind, legislation, designates May 15th as Water Safety Day in Washington.
May is our nation's Water Safety Month and as we approach May 15th, let's celebrate the strides we've made and double down on our efforts to initiate vital conversations. Let's advocate for comprehensive water safety education in our schools, equipping our children with the knowledge of safe swimming, CPR and understanding of proper protocols in emergency situations.
