Australian Ally Langdon was left deeply saddened when she had a conversation with parents who had to make an agonizing decision to end the life of their daughter, who had fallen victim to the dangerous craze known as “chroming.” This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on social media platforms and the devastating consequences they can have on young lives.
The story revolves around Esra Haynes, a talented and vibrant 13-year-old athlete who excelled in BMX bike racing and captained the Montrose Football Netball Club. Described as determined, fun, cheeky, and talented by her teammates, Esra had a bright future ahead of her. However, her life was cut tragically short when she participated in the deadly practice of chroming.
Chroming involves inhaling chemicals found in everyday household items, such as deodorant, paint, hairspray, or permanent markers, to experience a fleeting high. Unfortunately, the consequences can be severe and even fatal. On March 31, during a seemingly regular sleepover with friends, Esra sniffed an aerosol deodorant can, leading to cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage.
The devastation experienced by Esra’s parents, Andrea and Paul Haynes, is unimaginable. They received the dreaded phone call that no parent ever wants to receive, informing them to come and retrieve their daughter. Despite their efforts to revive her, Esra’s brain injury was beyond repair, and after eight days on life support, her parents had to make the agonizing decision to let her go.
The loss of their beloved daughter has shattered their entire family. Esra’s siblings, Imogen, Seth, and Charlie, are devastated, and the community is also deeply affected by this tragedy. The Haynes family is now on a mission to raise awareness about chroming and its potentially fatal consequences. They want to ensure that other parents are equipped with the information they wish they had known earlier, in the hopes of preventing further loss and heartache.
Chroming has claimed the lives of numerous children in Australia and around the world since 2009. The dangers associated with this trend include organ failure, seizures, heart attacks, suffocation, and even sudden death. It is imperative that parents and guardians have open and honest conversations with their children about the risks involved in engaging in such activities.
As Paul Haynes stated, “We need to ramp it up and let these kids find out the information first-hand, and not through friends, and not through social media – then they’re given the right advice off the bat.” By starting these conversations and educating ourselves and our children, we can potentially save lives and prevent more families from enduring the heart-wrenching pain that the Haynes family has had to endure.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Haynes family and all those affected by Esra’s untimely passing. Together, let us spread awareness about the dangers of chroming and help protect our children from the devastating consequences of this dangerous trend. By sharing this story with everyone you know, you may help save a life and prevent another family from experiencing this unimaginable pain.
