I just ran across a short draft of a speech Morgan was asked to give at the GED/High School graduation  on June 16, 2010 for Colorado Mountain College.  Morgan was mentioned in the Colorado Mountain College eNews publication about GED’s and High School Diplomas, dated October 11, 2010.  Morgan had had missed a lot of school when she was attending Aspen High School because of her exposure to Carbon Monoxide.  Being held back was not a choice for her as she was too scholastically advanced for that so instead she enrolled in CMC and took College classes, and then received her GED and went on to receive her Associates of Arts degree in 2011.  Below is the draft she wrote for the GED speech – I just wanted to share it with you so you could see another glimpse into who Morgan was – she never gave up on anything.

When normal kids are enjoying their preteen years, they are learning to flirt coyly with the idea of relationships with each other, homework becomes a common part of life, and drama huns high.  Unfortunately, i never got a chance to indulge in many of these occurrences, because I was busy spending my junior high experience dying.

For three years, instead of growing into a young adult, I was in my bed ridden with an ever growing myriad of symptoms that doctors could not rationalize and could not even begin to fix.  They did not know a flue on my house was installed incorrectly and that Carbon Monoxide was being pumped into me daily.  In the end it was a simple detector that named my killer.

Devastation hit again when i tried to join high school, and discovered that the poison had left in its wake, long-term side effects.  More vicious symptoms appeared, and once more my days were being taken from me.  By the time I was starting to regain my health, my high school had decided to hold me back, I had missed too many days being sick.  Shortly after, I was attending Community College and had gotten my GED.  Never regretting a second of it, this experience taught me to fight for myself regardless of what I’m being told and shaped me into who I am today.

Because of the wonderful experience Morgan received through Colorado Mountain College, Steve and I set up a scholarship fund in Morgan’s name through the Theatre Department.  This past Spring the first student received the first award of the Morgan Ingram Scholarship.  Morgan would be so very happy – she was always trying to get her friends to go to College.

I don’t think this picture would ever apply to Morgan.  Last week one of Morgan’s friends said:

i think about you everyday. i want to have just one more conversation with you. even though i talk to you at every moment, and about every decision, i need feedback. your words always meant the most. i just want you back. i love you angel. ♥

This is from http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/help-for-victims

Things you can do

Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. There are no guarantees that what works for one person will work for another, yet you can take steps to increase your safety.

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• Trust your instincts. Don’t downplay the danger. If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are.
• Take threats seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship.
• Contact a crisis hotline, victim services agency, or a domestic violence or rape crisis program. They can help you devise a safety plan, give you information about local laws, weigh options such as seeking a protection order, and refer you to other services.
• Develop a safety plan, including things like changing your routine, arranging a place to stay, and having a friend or relative go places with you. Also, decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at your home, work, school, or somewhere else. Tell people how they can help you. Click here to learn more about safety plans.
• Don’t communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
• Keep evidence of the stalking. When the stalker follows you or contacts you, write down the time, date, and place. Keep emails, text messages, phone messages, letters, or notes. Photograph anything of yours the stalker damages and any injuries the stalker causes. Ask witnesses to write down what they saw. Click here to download a stalking incident and behavior log.
• Contact the police. Every state has stalking laws. The stalker may also have broken other laws by doing things like assaulting you or stealing or destroying your property.
• Consider getting a court order that tells the stalker to stay away from you.
• Tell family, friends, roommates, and co-workers about the stalking and seek their support.
• Tell security staff at your job or school. Ask them to help watch out for your safety.

If someone you know is being stalked

• Listen.
• Show support.
• Don’t blame the victim for the crime.
• Remember that every situation is different, and allow the person being stalked to make choices about how to handle it.
• Find someone you can talk to about the situation.
• Take steps to ensure your own safety.