From Deseret News archives:

Dad dedicating schools built in honor of his son

Funds were raised after tot died in home accident

Published: Saturday, April 21, 2007 12:29 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
It's almost impossible to describe the roller coaster of emotions Reed Cowan has been though over the past year. Likewise, it's impossible for those who haven't experienced a tragedy like Cowan did to fully comprehend how much he's been hurting.

On April 23, 2006, Cowan's only son, 4-year-old Wesley, died after accidentally becoming entangled in a backyard swing set. Cowan, a popular television reporter with KTVX, went into near isolation as he tried to cope with the tragedy. His world turned dark with no seemingly no hope of finding a light at the end of the tunnel.

But now as the one-year anniversary of Wesley's death approaches, the grieving father has found a way to have some good come from the most painful event of his life.

Wednesday, Cowan left for Kenya, where two schools will be dedicated in his son's name on Monday, the anniversary of Wesley's death.

Cowan prefers to remember April 23 as the day Wesley "graduated."

"We were able to turn pain into purpose," he said.

Ironically, it was just two days before Wesley's death that Reed was watching an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show featuring guest Craig Kielburger. Kielburger is founder of the Free the Children foundation, a group that helps children all over the world. Cowan said he was moved so much by the show that he decided then to someday do something similar to what Kielburger had done.

Story continues below
It was during his time of mourning that Cowan remembered the Kielburger appearance and realized now was the time to act.

"I had to get control of the ship of grief. I told myself, 'I'm either going to die or I'm going to do something with this,"' he said.

Cowan said he was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support he received after his son's death and realized that not every child is so lucky.

"My son got a hero's goodbye. Yet somewhere on the other side of the world it's not proportionate," he said. "I know somewhere on the other side of the world people are dying who don't get to see the age 4. I've got to turn this around and balance the scales a little bit."

Cowan founded the Wesley Smiles Coalition, which soon partnered with Kielburger's Free the Children. The initial goal was to raise enough money through fund-raisers and donations to build a school in Kenya and dedicate it in Wesley's name.

"Through yard sales, private donations, fund-raising drives in elementary schools and lots of wonderful people on the corporate level ... almost $40,000 was raised," he said.

The money was more than the group expected to raise, and the donations haven't stopped.

One group of nurses cashed in all of the sick hours they had saved up and donated the money.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Reed Cowan packs for his trip to Kenya to dedicate two schools. He raised the money to build the schools in memory of his son, Wesley, who died a year ago.

previousnext

Latest comments

The outcome was obvious to anyone who has watched our anemic office all year....

when did Mr. Holder supposedly give reprieves to terrorist, people we...

Fiery collision claims 3 Utahns

I would like to thank heavenly father for the blessing he has blessed each...

Wounded Utes limp home

I'm a BYU fan, but its clear the program is really destined for 2 and 3 loss...

Letters: A plea to senators

to: Ultra Bob wrong. there are god-given rights. these are the rights that...

Letters: 2 words - an eternity

12:17 p.m. Thanks for sharing your OWN myopic views. Do you think just...

I was purposefully walking 30 minutes a day with no hat and short sleeves in...

Add 3 schools make it 12 if anything. Getting a Championship game would help...

Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons

You're right. BYU's defense is better than Utah's based on the TCU game...

2A: San Juan claims title

I am a Bronco fan and i agree with you. Not taking anything away from this...

Advertisements
Advertisement