http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/ontario/story.html?id=956169
Never take children for granted, says family of dead Barrie teen
Linda Nguyen, Canwest News Service
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
The father of a teen who died after running away from home over a dispute about video games said Thursday that Canadian families are living in a new world where children are less inclined than ever to play outside.
"Our generation, I don't think understands our kids. It's a new world that we live in," said Steve Crisp, whose 15-year-old son, Brandon, disappeared on Thanksgiving Day after a fight with his parents.
"As parents we need to understand that world a bit more and maybe take more time and understand why our kids are involved in that world so much," said Crisp, flanked by his wife and daughters. "And try to make them understand why, as parents, we find that hard to realize that they don't want to go outside and play sports and they'd rather be inside playing these games."
****Following a massive air and ground search, the boy's body was located on Nov. 5. Autopsy results showed he'd died after a fall from a tree.
Crisp said he's heard from parents across Canada and around the world who described having the same problem with relating to their teenage children.
"It's a problem that is everywhere," he said, choking back tears.
The Crisp family announced earlier this week that a foundation will be set up in Brandon's name to help raise funds for underprivileged children to play sports. An interim account has been set up at the CIBC as the Brandon Crisp Trust Account. Donations can be made at any of the bank's branches.
Crisp described his son as a "funny kid" who got to live his short life to the fullest.
"I'm hoping he didn't suffer too long," Crisp said, adding his son once loved the outdoors.
He urged other families with teens to keep the communication lines open with their children.
"I hope the message ... is to never take anything for granted with your children. You have to love them and hug them every single day," he said. "I hope that this story has brought families together across Canada."
A funeral is planned for Friday in Barrie, which is about 100 kilometres north of Toronto.
Liz Woolley