In Memory of Ivy Hossman
By Keyanna Mims
The life of a teenager is no walk in the park. Trying to wake up every morning to go to school, do homework, get good grades while at the same time make time for friends sports and family. Things can get pretty hectic. In Anthony’s case it is increasingly harder though.
Anthony Adkins is a 9th grader who used to go to West Perry. He is currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. He lives there with his mother, Sherri Hossman and his younger sister Kyleigh Hossman.
On January 22, 2014, the youngest member of the family, 3 and a half month old Ivy Hossman, passed away. Cause of death? Murder by Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Shaking Baby Syndrome is a type of brain injury that happens when someone forcefully shakes a child. It happens when the brain is forcefully shaken back and forth in the skull causing the brain cells to be completely destroyed. Bruising of the brain and bleeding and swelling of the brain result in permanent head trauma or even death.
Symptoms include:
Ivy spent days in the hospital hooked up onto life support.
“It was the worst thing I've seen, no one should have to see that. A baby who didn't do anything wrong with tubes and machines hooked up to her, barely keeping her alive. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.” Anthony states.
But who is all to blame for this? The answer is her own father, Joshua Gross, who is currently in jail serving time for her death.
“My mom and my sister like to joke about how she was AJ’s girl. We had this game we used to play. I would touch her nose with my fingers and say boop and she would smile and giggle every time, but she wouldn't do it to anyone else who did it. Not even our mom. She would make faces at them like she was mad until I came up to her and did it. Sure enough she would go right back to her little giggly self,” Anthony explains.
Getting over the death of a loved one is never easy.There are days when he has felt like giving up, but he continues to go to school, watch his other little sister and goes on living with life. His thoughts on the future are that of a normal life: get a job, live in a house and start a family
”I do admit the family part scares me now after this and everything that’s happened. I don't know how I’ll achieve it,” he states, and from what he’s been through, it’s understandable.
Anthony would like to give thanks to two people in his life. “My best friend, Dylan Sparrow, helped me a lot. He wasn't the one to console me and tell me everything was okay. Being my best friend, he was the one to smack me and drag me back to reality if my mind wandered. I literally mean smack me. Rather than consoling me he was the one to always make me laugh and smile. I’d like to tell him thanks for being there for me, and also Keyanna, my girlfriend, helped me, consoling with me and always being there for me whatever way she could. I’d like to thank her also. I don't know what I’d do without her.”
He would also like to give advice to those who may be or have gone through similar things: “Keep your heads up and smile. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I was reluctant to ask for help at first too, but I'm glad I did. It helped me manage a lot of the depression and stress. If you've been through it then you know how much it hurt to go through it. Help others if you can . Let them know they aren't alone. You understand more than anyone what they’re going through. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to others. It helps to talk about it, trust me, don't close yourself off and don't give up. You’ll make it just fine I promise. I know I did.”
In memory of Ivy Hossman.
Anthony Adkins is a 9th grader who used to go to West Perry. He is currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. He lives there with his mother, Sherri Hossman and his younger sister Kyleigh Hossman.
On January 22, 2014, the youngest member of the family, 3 and a half month old Ivy Hossman, passed away. Cause of death? Murder by Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Shaking Baby Syndrome is a type of brain injury that happens when someone forcefully shakes a child. It happens when the brain is forcefully shaken back and forth in the skull causing the brain cells to be completely destroyed. Bruising of the brain and bleeding and swelling of the brain result in permanent head trauma or even death.
Symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty staying awake
- Trouble breathing
- Not eating or loss of appetite
- Tremor
- Vomiting
- Pale or bluish skin
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Damage to spinal cords and neck, fractured ribs, skull and bones
Ivy spent days in the hospital hooked up onto life support.
“It was the worst thing I've seen, no one should have to see that. A baby who didn't do anything wrong with tubes and machines hooked up to her, barely keeping her alive. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.” Anthony states.
But who is all to blame for this? The answer is her own father, Joshua Gross, who is currently in jail serving time for her death.
“My mom and my sister like to joke about how she was AJ’s girl. We had this game we used to play. I would touch her nose with my fingers and say boop and she would smile and giggle every time, but she wouldn't do it to anyone else who did it. Not even our mom. She would make faces at them like she was mad until I came up to her and did it. Sure enough she would go right back to her little giggly self,” Anthony explains.
Getting over the death of a loved one is never easy.There are days when he has felt like giving up, but he continues to go to school, watch his other little sister and goes on living with life. His thoughts on the future are that of a normal life: get a job, live in a house and start a family
”I do admit the family part scares me now after this and everything that’s happened. I don't know how I’ll achieve it,” he states, and from what he’s been through, it’s understandable.
Anthony would like to give thanks to two people in his life. “My best friend, Dylan Sparrow, helped me a lot. He wasn't the one to console me and tell me everything was okay. Being my best friend, he was the one to smack me and drag me back to reality if my mind wandered. I literally mean smack me. Rather than consoling me he was the one to always make me laugh and smile. I’d like to tell him thanks for being there for me, and also Keyanna, my girlfriend, helped me, consoling with me and always being there for me whatever way she could. I’d like to thank her also. I don't know what I’d do without her.”
He would also like to give advice to those who may be or have gone through similar things: “Keep your heads up and smile. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I was reluctant to ask for help at first too, but I'm glad I did. It helped me manage a lot of the depression and stress. If you've been through it then you know how much it hurt to go through it. Help others if you can . Let them know they aren't alone. You understand more than anyone what they’re going through. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to others. It helps to talk about it, trust me, don't close yourself off and don't give up. You’ll make it just fine I promise. I know I did.”
In memory of Ivy Hossman.
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