Orlando Mom Whose Toddler Was Killed in a Car Crash Creates a Foundation

An Orlando mom whose toddler was killed in a car crash creates a foundation that seeks to help families who also lost their children in car crashes.

Shannon Zisa, the mother of the toddler who died in a car crash in June 2019 put up the foundation, Acts of Adalyn.

Adalyn was the name of her 17-month-old daughter, who died in the car crash.

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Losing her toddler

Last June, Adalyn was killed while Shannon and her husband were riding a bike with Adalyn. A car suddenly crashed into the curb where the family was.

Shannon shared with WESH 2 News, "Grief begins the moment that they tell you, 'Your child is not here anymore.' Because physically as a mother, part of you has died."

When asked to describe her daughter, the mom said, "She was just a kind little girl."

The Orlando mom has recovered from the injuries that she sustained from the crash. However, her husband continues to heal from brain injuries.

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Despite the loss

Even though she lost her daughter and is helping her husband recover, the Orlando mom is finding ways to still go through life.

Shannon found something to hold onto - a stuffed bunny. However, it is not just a simple bunny, the stuffed toy contains some of her toddler's ashes inside.

Acts for Adalyn

As part of facing challenges coming her way, Adalyn created the foundation, Acts for Adalyn.

The Orlando mom is looking for sponsors who would help in also providing mothers who suddenly lost their children who are between one year old and four years old. 

She said, "Something that when you feel like you can't go on anymore, it's something they can physically hold and know their child is still with them."

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Helping families

According to the founder of Acts of Adalyn, she was able to witness how organizations help people who lost infants or their children because of a horrific disease. However, what she wanted to do was to help families who suddenly lost their children.

She shared that during her journey of facing her toddler's death, she realized that having people to support you is important. She said, "It's OK to hit rock bottom. It's okay to be mad. It's okay to be angry. It's okay to be sad. It's okay to feel whatever they're feeling on their grief journey and we're here to support them."

Moving forward

Adalyn would have been three years old last January 1. The family was said to still have celebrated the little girl's birthday. 

According to the Orlando mom, she believes that with Acts of Adalyn, her little girl will still be able to create an impact on families. She believes that her legacy will continue to live.

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