DETROIT – As the weather gets warmer, we know a lot of people will be getting the swimming pools ready for the summer.
One mom from Detroit, however, is trying to raise the dangers of pools following the accidental drowning of her son several years ago.
Life changed when she lost her 3-year-old son in 2020. Since then, she says her life’s been given a whole new purpose.
It’s been almost four long years since Berkeley Champlin lost her son, Gordie after he accidentally drowned in their backyard swimming pool.
Every day, she wishes she could have saved his life—this memorial in the backyard near where the pool used to be a constant reminder.
“Every day is a journey,” said Champlin. “Every day is a struggle. You know, he’s my kid. He’s my son. He was in this backyard. This is where he had his last day.”
Champlin doesn’t want any other parent to go through the same pain of losing a child through an accidental drowning.
So, she’s hoping to pay for swimming lessons for as many kids as possible so they know what to do if they have trouble in the water.
“I needed to put the energy somewhere when it comes to grief,” Champlin said. “So sitting in it, it’s easier for me to put it into something like this. The more kids that know how to swim, the less accidents are going to happen.”
Champlin says if it just saves one life, it’s totally worth it.
“You know, if I can save that one person then my job is done,” Champlin said.