April 16th – A Day of Change

Monday night marked the third anniversary of Gabriel Myer’s death.

Gabriel Myers, a Florida foster child, was prescribed a dangerous cocktail of psychiatric drugs at a young age. He apparently committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom of his foster home. He was only seven years old at the time.

There are hundreds of thousands of foster children in America, and Gabriel Myers was not the only one to meet such a tragic end. Foster children are prescribed psychiatric drugs at a much higher rate than other children. These drugs carry harsh and sometimes fatal side effects. This mass-drugging is a big problem – but it is also one that can be stopped.

Each year, Gabriel is remembered in a series of candlelight vigils held throughout Florida. Clearwater’s local vigil is organized by CCHR Florida, a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping psychiatric harm and abuse.

On April 16th, people of all ages gathered at the CCHR Florida building to stand up for the rights of foster children. The crowd marched through downtown Clearwater, proudly displaying signs that told the story of Gabriel Myers and his tragic death to all cars and pedestrians passing by.

Speakers at this year’s vigil included Bob Dillinger, Pinellas County Public Defender, and John Whitehead, the top civil rights attorney in America.

The final speech of the night, given by Walter Kowalczyk, left several attendees in tears. He told the story of his young son’s experience with these drugs and how they ultimately took away his life at the age of eight. Since the passing of his son, Kowalczyk has formed his own non-profit organization (www.ADHDecide.org) to inform people of the fatal side effects of these drugs.

That night, over 130 people stood up for the rights of Gabriel Myers and countless other children like him. The flurry of glow sticks and bright signs on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway inspired several drivers to honk their car horns in support of the message.  The sight of such a large group united for a common purpose was breathtaking.

Wherever Gabriel Myers is today, he would be proud to know that people are out there making a difference to save others in his name.

CCHR Florida would like to thank all who attended this year’s vigil.

-Daira Dielle