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October 28, 2006

On The Road Again

Where we have been and where we are going...

On November 1, 2006 Roy and Sylvia attended a conference sponsored by the Florida Network of Victim Witness Services (FNVWS) at the Biltmore Hotel. Roy and Sylvia with Don and Claudine Ryce were the guest speakers, addressing approximately eighty-five professionals from the Victim Assistance Programs and law enforcement.

Don and Claudine spoke of the life and death of their son Jimmy. Claudine began the presentation by showing a collage of photographs of Jimmy and talking about his accomplishments in his short life. Don spoke of the negatives of the search and how it is necessary to have someone take charge and weed out the publicity seekers. Don and Claudine shared the events surrounding the death of Jimmy and their quest to prevent this type of tragedy from happening to others.

Roy and Sylvia shared the podium in telling Amanda's story. Sylvia began by explaining that Amanda had only been a part of her life for about 1 1/2 years before she became missing. Sylvia also presented photographs of Amanda from birth and through the years up to her disappearance. As difficult as it is, Sylvia told of the joy that Amanda brought into the house and the sadness of her loss.

Roy spoke of the search and of all the help received from law enforcement, victim advocates and volunteers. When asked of any negatives, he repsonded that his only complaint was the term "body" when the news media referred to Amanda. He was quick to remind them that her name is Amanda. He said that everyone was great and that he is so appreciative of everyone and their attempt to find Amanda.

Roy and Sylvia's desire is to build the Amanda Brown Foundation into an organization that can respond to the scene, no matter where, and offer the moral, physical and monetary support to the family during and after the crisis.

The audience was quiet and it was obvious that they felt the pain that the Browns' and Ryces' are feeling. It is the opinion of this writer that everyone left with a better understanding of the feelings of the families that suffer the loss of a child and will work to overcome any of the negatives.

It one thing to read a newspaper article or to watch a newscast about a missing or exploited child as once it is reported you move on to another article and the first may not be forgotten but is put on the back burner. All you have to do is sit and listen to the stories as told by Roy and Sylvia or Don and Claudine and realize the pain, then it becomes real.

Love and protect your child every minute of every day and we will pray that you never experience the loss of a child.

Posted by admin at October 28, 2006 10:41 AM

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