A dedication to all those who helped Reesa Kammerman.

A dedication to all those who helped Reesa Kammerman.

Even though its been a while
I remember your help with a smile.
It mingles with the tears that roll down my cheek,
As I think of your care of Reesa and how it was so sweet.

I lost my precious daughter that day
My heart was torn in two.
But through the darkness of that day
I saw a ray of sunshine come our way.

You may not think that you did any good
Or you may wish you could have done more
But please know this,
We know you did all you could.

While I was holding her hand as she slipped from this life
My heart was full of agony and love.
Yet in that room I felt as if
It was a piece of Heaven on earth.

Doctors, nurses technicians and staff
Pilots, paramedics, truck drivers and troopers...
Your efforts were heroic!
Your care was divine!

You not only helped Reesa
But you helped our family too.

Thank you so much for all of your time and dedication to be where you are. You have such a profound impact on families' lives and we want you to know that you are appreciated for all that you do.

With warmest thanks and gratitude,

Michael Kammerman and family

Donor Medal of Honor Ceremony

Reesa was recently recognized with the Donor  Medal of Honor. The ceremony was held at The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa and was sponsered by the Nevada Donor Network. Chris Klug (an Olympic Snowboarding Medalist and Liver Recipient) spoke. We also heard from Karen Brill, a donor mom and enjoyed listening to Claudia Crouse, a sopranist.

Ammon Kammerman came with me and helped set up the table of Reesa's momentos. We also enjoyed a catered lunch before the ceremony. As the ceremony commenced they had Reesa's picture and a brief description of her life in The Rememberance Book.

Reesa had just got her drivers license and had checked the box to be a donor. She was very adamant about being able to help others even after she passed away. Her Grandpa, John C Kammerman was also a donor.

Please consider being a donor if you haven't already made the decision. Then tell your family so they know what your wishes are. We never know when its our time and it would be a great thing to be able to help others and leave a legacy of love for others to follow.

1 year since Reesa went home...

Its hard to believe that Reesa died. Some days I think she'll just walk through the door and say hi. Sometimes I'll be walking in the store or an event and see someone that looks a bit like Reesa and I'll do a double-take. One girl we met at BBY this year could have been her twin. From her looks to her personality and smile. But music is the hardest! I can be in the middle of a store or in the car and a song will start playing that I listened to with Reesa or she played it on the guitar. I can remember the exact time and place we were at when I was with her.

But with all of the heartache I have found that there is a lot of things to be grateful for. (Or as Reesa said in her video-"I have a million reasons to live.")

I am so very grateful for all of the love and support our family has received. I am so happy for all of the memories we created with Reesa. I am thankful for all the times that Reesa played the guitar and sang for all of us. And for all the love she extended to all she met.

I am also happy to have found the video she made and how much it has already helped hundreds and thousands of people. Who would have thought that she would still be helping people after she died. I shouldn't have been surprised because that's what she did while she was alive as well.

A young lady approached me at Reesa's Celebration Service and let me know how Reesa had saved her life.  This young lady said she was a fellow student of Reesa's and had her own struggles she was dealing with. In fact, she said she had planned to go home from school that day and end her life. But for some miraculous reason she had talked with Reesa that day and Reesa talked her out of it. She told me that she was alive today because of Reesa! How awesome is that?! And what an example for each of us! We never know how a simple smile and conversation can help lift somebody from despair to hope.

One of Reesa's counselors and friend texted me today with a message. I looked up the song she told me about. It has a great message. Thank you Sam! The song is entitled "The Sun is Rising" by Britt Nicole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO36F--Vn1g

Today we went to the last place that Reesa had worked, Nickel Mania in Springville and played video games to remember her by. Then we came home to a bar-b-que that Missy put on. Then we had ice cream sundaes with all the toppings. (except I forgot whip cream!) Thanks to Brandee and Danial for the bueatiful flowers and to whoever went to her gravesite.
Yeasterday, Zacharias, Isaac and I went to mile marker 83 and put up a little memorial for her. Thanks to Grandma Jo for the flowers to put there. It was a long drive but we stopped to make sandwiches at a park in Meadow. Then on the way home we visited the twins in Nephi and played at the playground we used to play at with Reesa and visited our old house. It was quite a day.

To see Reesa's Legacy video click on the May posting on the right under "blog Archive".

BBY 2014 (Be the Best You)

A HUGE THANK YOU to Barbara Barrington Jones and all of the staff at this years BBY!
Barabara has made a perpetual scholarship in Reesa's name for every BBY, starting this year!
How awesome it is! And what a way to remember Reesa and have her message of love and hope be remembered!
The staff wore purple shirts and the necklaces they gave to the girls had a star on it. Even the girls' group names were "star" themed. (like Galaxy Gals)
After a tribute to Reesa we all went outside and everyone let a purple balloon float away and promised to try a little harder each day to be a better person and help others. What a sight to behold as over 250 balloons were released! We also sang "A Child's Prayer" and "God Be With You" while being accompanied by a beautiful guitar melody!
Thank you Barbara and Staff!!!!!!!

Thanks you to Savannah and her group for taking pictures with us!

Here's some pictures of Reesa when she went to BBY in 2012.

Reesa's Memorial Service - A Celebration of Reesa's life

We will be having a short memorial service for Reesa on Sunday, June 29th at the Provo Cemetery from 6 pm - 6:30 pm. We will be unveiling her monument and have some new bracelets to give out as well. All are welcome to come and celebrate Reesa's life and her message!

Thank you to all who were able to come to Reesa's Celebration and thank you to those whose thoughts were with us as well! There were over 120 people there. Friends, family, teachers, neighbors and fellow students showed up. We unveiled her monument and listened to three songs that Reesa loved and would have sang to you had she been there.

 

"Cups (You're Gonna Miss Me)" LULU AND THE LAMPSHADES

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
Two bottle whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
Oh, I'm leaving tomorrow. What do you say?

When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere,
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
The one with the prettiest view

It's got mountains, it's got rivers
It's got woods that give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk
You'll miss me by my talk
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
These feet weren't built to stay too long
And I'll go there on my own
But you'll miss me when you're home
It's for you, dear, that I sing this song

When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone (when I'm gone)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone
When I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk
You'll miss me by my talk
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

CHARLENE SORAIA

"Wherever You Will Go"
(originally by The Calling)

So lately, been wondering
Who will be there to take my place
When I'm gone, you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face
If a great wave shall fall
It would fall upon us all
And between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own?

[Chorus:]
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go

And maybe I'll work out
A way to make it back some day
Towards you, to guide you
Through the darkest of your days

If a great wave shall fall
It would fall upon us all
Well I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you

[Chorus:]
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go

Run away with my heart
Run away with my hope
Run away with my love

I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I'll stay with you for all of time

[Chorus:]
If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go

If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
I'll go wherever you will go

IMAGINE DRAGONS

"On Top Of The World"

If you love somebody
Better tell them while they’re here ’cause
They just may run away from you

You’ll never know quite when, well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you

I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving

I take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

I take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

Oooooooo... OoooAhhhhhOoooAhhhhh[2x]

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

Family finds Reesas Legacy after daughters death

Family finds Reesas Legacy after daughters death  Daily Herald article

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Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

Michael Kammerman poses for a photo with his laptop, showing the video made by his daughter Reesa, at his home in Springville on Friday.

May 31, 2014 8:00 am  •  Candi Higley Daily Herald

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SPRINGVILLE -- It has been a little less than a year since the Kammerman family lost their 16-year-old daughter, Reesa.

She was ejected from a vehicle in a car accident in July and died on impact but was resuscitated at the scene by a truck driver, Adrian Grocock, who witnessed the accident. Reesa was on life support for two weeks in Las Vegas before dying July 28.

As family members have grieved the loss of their daughter and sister during the past 10 months, they have also seen miracles happen. In fact, the most recent miracle occurred just a few weeks ago when Reesa’s father, Michael Kammerman, was about to reset his computer to its factory settings.

“My computer was going so slow,” Kammerman said. “I had saved all the pictures and video files but just happened to look at an obscure subfolder and found a priceless treasure.”

Kammerman discovered a “selfie” video of Reesa that lasted about five minutes. The video itself wasn’t the treasure. Instead, it was the message she shared.

“In the video she doesn’t say a word,” Kammerman said. “She had written with a marker on a spiral notebook and used it as a flip chart.”

At first, Kammerman said he could barely get through the video because it was heartbreaking.

“Reesa had been through some difficult times,” he said. “And even though I was with her during those times, just to see it again it was hard. I think seeing it in print rather than having her talk about it was a lot more powerful.”

Reesa details some of the challenges in her life in the video, but she ends it with a message of hope.

“I don’t know why Reesa made this video,” her father said. “I don’t know if it was a school assignment or what it was. To me it was just amazing how much insight she had into things.”

Kammerman didn’t edit the video, just added music and a little bit of background information for people watching the video who might not know about Reesa.

Family members and friends described the video as amazing and powerful. Reesa’s aunt, Danial Selin, watched the video for the first time with family on Thursday night.

“Reesa was like my daughter and she lived with me for a time,” Selin said. “Of course I bawled. It brought me to tears. It is amazing that she left something like that for her family.

"It was emotional and touching because I was molested by a stepdad and I could relate. She left such a positive message, which I think she got from her grandma -- the message to forgive and not hold a grudge. It made me feel peace to know that Reesa felt that way and that she did her forgiving while she was here on earth.”

“I at first made the video private just for family and friends, but then I realized Reesa made this video for a reason,” Kammerman said. “It was a message she wanted out there. I felt compelled to leave it as it was and share the message.”

Kammerman felt the video and the message that Reesa left behind could benefit others who have gone through difficult experiences.

“I have relatives and people I know who have struggles, and watching this video they have seen all that Reesa has overcome,” he said. “This is a good message that I want to share.

"Hopefully it will give someone who is struggling a reason to hang on for a little bit longer and to know that everything can be OK. This is a way of paying it forward for people who have helped Reesa.”

To watch Reesa’s video visit www.kammermanfamily.blogspot.com.

Family finds "Reesa's Legacy" after daughter's death

Salt Lake Tribune article by Paul Rolly

Paul Rolly: Utah teen inspires the world a year after her death

By PAUL ROLLY

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Jun 05 2014 10:35 pm • Last Updated Jun 05 2014 10:35 pm

Reesa Kammerman died in a car accident a year ago. Her heart stopped at the scene, but a passer-by revived her. Her heart stopped again on the way to the hospital. She was revived once more. She clinically died two more times but was revived. Then, 16 days after the accident, she died and couldn’t be revived.

The 16-year-old Springville girl had a tough life. Her mother left her to raise her four younger brothers when she was 9. She had been molested and raped. She tried to commit suicide several times.

Her family recently found a "selfie" video she had made on her computer shortly before her death.

I can’t do it justice. Go to the family blog,kammermanfamily.blogspot.com, or to YouTube and find Reesa Kammerman to see the video. You not only will be inspired by this girl, but you also will instantly fall in love with her. You will never forget her.

Father finds inspiring video 16-year-old made before death

ABC 4 Utah broadcast with Nadia Crow  click on the link to the left to watch the story

SPRINGVILLE, Utah (ABC 4 Utah)- The death of a child will rock a family to its core.  Today, a Springville father wants to share his daughter's legacy through video.  16-year-old Reesa Kammerman died almost one year ago in a car crash.  Now, one discovery will let Reesa's message live on.

"Named her Reesa, it's Latin for laughter and she was all that," said Michael Kammerman.

But Reesa Kammerman's light began to dim when her mother left her family.  That meant Reesa stepped up to help her day care for her four little brothers.

"Sometimes at night, she would play the guitar for us and sometimes she would stay with us until we'd fall asleep," said Isaac Kammerman.

The girl who was hiding a dark secret.  Reesa testified in court that her stepfather physically and sexually abused her.

"The cutting, and the self harming, and she became bulimic," said Kammerman.

After years of treatment centers and counseling, she started to turn things around.

"When she could sing and dance and play the guitar that's when she was happiest. I think her music helped her cope a lot," said Kammerman.

It was at that time her father believes she made a video.  She told the audience about her troubled past. But the video also includes a turning point.  Reesa wrote, "I couldn't be happier... I have a million reasons to live." 

"It showed what happened in her life to something good in her life," said Kammerman.

But one night halted all her progress.  Reesa was involved in a terrible car crash.  The doctor told her father...

"He said your daughters been hurt really bad. He told me about all of her injuries. And he said the likelihood of her surviving was very slim," said Kammerman.

For 16 days Reesa fought her last fight succumbing to her injuries on June 28, 2013.  About three weeks ago, Michael discovered the video Reesa made.  Now, he's sharing it with the world.

"Whether it's helping someone to prevent them from hurting themselves, committing suicide, or having a parent see that there's hope," said Kammerman.

"I don't want you to feel bad for me or pity me but there is one catch...forgive," said wrote Reesa.

Teen girl’s message of forgiveness surfaces after her death, father shares ‘Reesa’s Legacy’

Fox13News broadcast with Ninevah Dinha   Click on the link to the left to watch the story.

Fox13Now with Ninevah Dinha

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — “In October 2011 I was hospitalized for trying to commit suicide four times.” Those words are just one of a many that appear in a Sprinville teenager’s video message about her suffering in life.

It surfaced nearly a year after her death. Reesa Kammerman’s father is now sharing his daughter’s story, which begins in darkness but ends in forgiveness.

“As far as daughters go, perfect,” said Michael Kammerman of his daughter.

“I remember one day walking into her room and just seeing blood all over,” he said.

Reesa went through more turbulence in life than most teenagers. At 14, she tried taking her own life, and after revelations of rape and molestation, her father got her into therapy. She came back with a smiling face, and once again began doing the things she loved, like playing guitar, but her sunshine was short-lived.

“That morning I got a phone call from the police department, said ‘Your daughter’s in an accident,” said Michael, describing the day his daughter died in a car accident.

Reesa was killed in a single rollover crash along 1-15 near St. George on July 28, 2013. She was revived three times. Showing her will to survive, the 16 year old hung on to life for 16 days, in a coma.

“As we were sitting there, the doctor had the machines turned off, so we couldn’t hear the beeping, and I remember looking at him and he was looking at her, crying and saying, ‘oh Reesa, I wish we could have done more for you,” Michael said.

The heartbroken father had lost his daughter and then nearly a year after her death, a video of daddy’s little girl, spilling her secrets.

“My mom left when i was 9 for me to raise my 4 little brothers,” Reesa writes on a notepad.

“I was raped three times!” she continues.

“The first couple minutes it’s pretty hard to watch,” said Michael, who was hesitant about putting up the clip of the video. “I was about to shut it off. I had to wait for a minute.”

Michael pushed play again and watched as Reesa’s story unfolded.

“I hated my life,” she wrote.

“I didn’t want to live anymore.”

From the depths of darkness, a young woman found her light and a message she perhaps wanted to share with the world.

The video goes on to say, “I have a million reasons to live.”

“I love my family.”

“Forgive!”

“Forgive anyone who has ever hurt you.”

“Forgive that one person who wasn’t there when you needed them the most!”

“Most importantly…forgive yourself!”

“Even almost a year later, she’s the one teaching us and at that point, whatever you want to call it, felt that this is a message that needs to be shared. If it even helps one person, Reesa would be happy,” her father said.

Reesa’s favorite color is purple, so her Dad hands out purple bracelets to random people that say “live, love, laugh.”

Click here for Reesa’s video message.

Reesa's Legacy Video

Pictures of Reesa when she was younger