One more thing ....  / Isabelle Zehnder (Another voice for Joey )
Here is something Cynthia said that I would like to share: 

A mother’s plea: “Let us use the death of my son, Joey, to start:
a new beginning … no more restraints … no more deaths … no more injuries.” by Cynthia Allen 

And here's Joey's poem:

IN MEMORY OF JOEY
By Isabelle Zehnder 

It was a cold day in February, All I wanted was to wear my hoody 

They yelled at me, said “It’s forbidden”, They made me feel like I was in prison
 
They grabbed me hard and took it away, I had no idea this would be my last day
 
Before I knew it we were all on the ground, They sat on me so I couldn't make a sound 

I tried to tell them I could not breathe, They would not listen to my pleas
 
They pushed down on my neck so hard, And left my body full of scars
 
My body went completely numb, I knew the end had finally come 

Mama, I would like to say, I didn’t want to die that way



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My Blessing to all the Parents left behind  / Cynthia "Joeys' Mommy" Allen (His voice )
A MOTHER'S PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGELS OF HER CHILDREN 

I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. 

Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts and prayers, it really is what gets me through~ Close

Let us be his voice  / Isabelle Zehnder (A Voice for Joey )
Though I may not have met Joey I feel I know him. I will continue to do what I can to be a voice for him and to help his mom, Cynthia, in her quest to find justice for her son. 

What happened to Joey should never happen to any child. Face-down prone restraints are deadly and in my opinion should be banned. There was no reason Joey should have endured the things he endured during the last moments of his life. Because of that we will keep fighting to get the word out to others. 

I remember last Easter when Cynthia and I spent hours on the phone because she could barely make it through her first holiday without her son. He used to love Easter morning, to find his Easter basket outside his bedroom door. The holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas - were very difficult times for Cynthia and for other parents who lose their children. 

Please, let us all be a voice for these children who no longer have a voice. I have created a website to try to raise awareness about children who are abused, neglected, and who die in treatment facilities - www.caica.org. Please learn about what is happening to children so you too can be a voice. It is going to take many voices to be heard, let's all work to make this happen. Spread the word and if you know a child is in trouble do what you can to help him or her. We all need to be proactive when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of kids.

Also, I have created a page with all of the articles surrounding Joey's death. You can find it at: http://caica.org/NEWS%20DEATHS%20JOEY%20MAIN.htm. 

Please visit the memorial website that was created for all children who have died in treatment: http://children-in-treatment.memory-of.com/. 

Joey, we love you and will never stop fighting for what is right. We will be sure that your death was not in vain and we will make sure people know your story. Your mom and I have become very close friends and even though you and I never had the opportunity to meet each other, I feel I know you through your mom. I know so many of the things you loved, about the type of wonderful boy you were, and how much your mom truly loves you. Joey, she is your voice. I was so proud of her the day she had to speak at a press conference - it snowed that day and the attorney and coroner couldn't make it. But your mom made it and she did such a great job I couldn't believe it! I have the video on my website, and I have your story there too. I am so proud of her and I know she is going to have a strong impact. Her dream is to build a place in your honor where other kids will never suffer at the hands of others. 

Love, Isabelle Close