Austin ’ s loss has been felt deeply across the Cannabis Refugee Community :
~ Chris Pixie Gordon , Autumn , and Family : AMR Family 2018
My heart is absolutely shattered for this family . They have done so much for the cannabis refugees unselfishly . My family included . When we became homeless in Colorado , living in a hotel , Amy was there for us . Our first winter in the Springs was tough . Securing our home took everything out of me . Amy and her family graciously and privately gave my family a Christmas that I couldn ’ t provide . Every family member was delivered presents wrapped with love .
When she asked me what everyone would like , I left myself out . I didn ’ t need anything . I was just grateful the kids could have something under the tree . She didn ’ t leave me out ! I was flabbergasted that there was something for ME to open .
Amy Dawn Bourlon-Hilterbran and her family more than deserve all our support right now . They never stop thinking about and helping others .
~ The Ragsdale Family Gavin ’ s Battle , Doose Syndrome Epilepsy : AMR Family 2017
Austin ’ s loss is felt heavily throughout the cannabis community . Through Austin ’ s journey , so many of us found new hope for our own medically fragile children when all traditional medicines failed . It was through the strength and perseverance of Austin ’ s Mom , Amy Dawn , that gave families like ours new faith and the strength to follow Austin ’ s journey and become American Medical Refugees . Because of Austin , our G-man continues to thrive in Colorado , from hundreds of seizures a day in our home State of Kansas , where safe access continues to be denied , to a life that is mostly seizure-FREE as an American Medical Refugee .
Our hearts ache for the loss of Austin . We send our deepest condolences and love to this amazing family , who forever changed our lives for the better . Fly high , sweet warrior .
~ Brandy Johnson And Tres : AMR Family 2018
Austin ’ s life was a guiding light for us in many ways through Tres ’ journey . Without Amy , I wouldn ’ t have known anything about the Parent CNA , and we wouldn ’ t have had as much confidence or the information needed to take the leap of faith and move to Colorado . Austin and his family , like so many , went before us to Colorado and advocated for legislative change . Without their transparency and support , so many families like ours wouldn ’ t even know where to begin . We Love Amy and Austin with all our hearts , and their family will forever be in my thoughts and prayers .
~ Wendy Turner , Founder of The Coltyn Turner Foundation NFP : AMR Family 2014
Amy and a younger Austin .
His Final Gift
I ’ ve always said moms of seizure kids are some of the strongest people I ’ ve met . Amy Dawn is nothing short of that . I ’ ve seen first-hand the fierceness in her testimonies at the Colorado Capital and the compassion for families in our same position , all because of the love she has for her son , like my family , uprooted from their home , separated from family and friends . I ’ ve been there , but I haven ’ t lost my son , and that is a pain I hope to never feel . Our hearts go out to Austin ’ s family .
Today , as I write this tribute to a young life well lived , this is by no means Austin ’ s final tribute . His eyes will still see the world through the eyes of another ; his kidneys saved another life , his heart valves , another . Austin and his legacy live on and on and on .
Until all our kids and veterans in all fifty states can go to a public hospital and get cannabis as medicine unimpeded by the Federal Government and the last cannabis prisoner is out of jail , we have no legal cannabis .
To help with expenses , please donate to Austin ’ s Memorial Fund and Final Expenses GoFundMe , https :// gofund . me / d3ea47be .
To learn more about organ donation , please visit DonorAlliance at www . donoralliance . org . Donor Alliance saves and heals lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation .
Dolores Montgomery Halbin , RN , BSN , and Ordained Nurse Minister , resides in SW Missouri . After her husband passed in 2015 , she retired from nursing . She worked with the 2014-2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana . She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working Dr . Lisa toward Roark Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism . Dolores Halbin , doloreshalbin @ gmail . com .
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