Our First Life Preserver

May 12

On April 27th, surrounded by our families and our Board of Directors, we proudly sponsored our very first life preserver at The Pit in Tecumseh, Michigan. This being the same location where we tragically lost Brady.

This moment was emotional, powerful, and deeply meaningful.

The installation of this life-saving device is more than just a symbol. It’s action. It’s purpose. And it’s the first of many steps we are taking to fulfill our mission: to promote swim safety and education for individuals on the spectrum and their families.

Brady’s passing is the reason this nonprofit exists. While we can’t change what happened, we can change what happens next for others. Our goal is to make sure that every family has access to both safety resources and inclusive swim education, especially in places that are often unsupervised, unguarded, or overlooked.

This life preserver could one day save a life. That is Brady’s impact. That is Brady’s legacy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. This is just the beginning.

Why This Matters

For individuals on the autism spectrum, water can be both joyful and dangerous. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of death among children with autism due to a higher tendency to wander and challenges with water safety awareness.

Our mission is to promote swim education and safety for individuals on the spectrum, and placing life preservers in public spaces is a crucial step in building more inclusive, prepared communities.

This first installation is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a visible symbol of protection, inclusion, and action. It represents our commitment to creating safer environments where everyone, regardless of ability, has the tools they need to enjoy the water safely.

What the Day Looked Like

The event began at 1 PM and brought together our Board of Directors and families for a heartfelt gathering in honor of Brady.

Brady’s family played a special role in assisting with the installation of the life preserver, turning a place of heartbreak into one of hope and protection for others.

We took a moment to thank everyone in attendance for being part of this meaningful milestone. Their presence made this moment even more powerful.

After our time at The Pit, we visited Brady and Madison’s favorite U-pick flower field, where each of us picked flowers to take home, which serve as a small, beautiful reminder of the day and the purpose behind it.

We also captured some touching moments, which we’ve shared on our social media and included here in this post.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning. We have a goal to place 10 life preservers this year, and we’re already planning our next installations with the support of our advocate members.

If you’re interested in sponsoring a life preserver or suggesting a public site, we’d love to hear from you! You can learn more about Advocate Membership by visiting our membership page or email us at thebradyeffectfoundation@gmail.com.