Natalie Ciappa Tribute

Please look up www.ourwall.net click on computers, click on Cheryl Dean, 2nd column. Everyone else on this web site died except my daughter who really isn't living. Cheryl is 29 now and still lives in the nursing home. I visit her everday. If only she didn't go to Centereach High School, I really believe this might not have happened. Cheryl still can't walk, talk, move legs arms or hands is blind and on a feeding tube. Stony Brook Hospital sent her to a nursing home in upstate New York.
Connie
Schenectady, N.Y.
Cheryl's mom
ccannizz@nycap.rr.com

When I read the story in Newsday about Natalie I thought to myself "Why is this happening to these young kids? Why could this boy be so callous at a young age to just be cleaning up around his friend, worrying more about the beer bottles than this girl." I thought about my niece who is 17 and my nephew who is 21, that this could be one of them.
Then that thought became a reality for my sister, nephew and I when we discovered my beautiful niece is using heroin.
I had her read the story about Natalie; because she was young, beautiful and had a lifetime ahead of her. Unfortunately, my niece doesn't get it. She doesn't understand how fragile life is and in one moment it could be gone. We are trying so hard. I honestly felt such immense empathy for Natalies' parents when I first read her story and now even more.
It is hard to keep up this fight, I commend them for all they did to help Natalie. I truely wish they can get some comfort in helping others.

hi

I didn't know Natalie or her family or anything about her before her death. I am a 20 year old male from Suffolk County Long Island who can relate a lot to this young lady. I'm very into the news and Natalie's story caught my eye. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the young lady was that had passed and as I read on I learned she was an athlete, an honor student, a great singer, and had many family and friends who loved her. I learned that she had overdosed on heroin and the story brought me to tears.
I am like Natalie in so many ways. I was a multisport athlete, an honors student, overall a popular guy, with many friends and I too have a loving family. The last thing that Natalie and I have in common is we are both heroin addicts. At the time i was reading her article I was using heroin on a daily basis. I was scared to death, wasting away all my god-given gifts and praying for a way to get help. I'm not sure what gave me the strength to ask for the help I needed but a little over 2 months ago I came clean with my family and admitted I was an addict and needed help. While I was in detox my mother gave me some articles about the heroin problems on LI and once again i was looking at Natalie's beautiful face in front of me. Throughout my stay in detox and rehab I kept a journal at my side wherever I went. On the cover were pictures of my younger sister, a mass card of my friend who passed away (murdered by oxycontin addicts during a drug deal), and a picture of Natalie. I use her as an inspiration. She watches over me every day and helps me to achieve what she wasn't blessed enough to be able to do on her own. I'm now out of rehab and rebuilding my young life and I know that Natalie is supporting me. I don't know if her family will read this but I want them to know that their daughter/sister/loved one's memory has touched at least one young person's heart and helped him to begin changing his life. I know it must be tough to have your personal business all over the press but I believe that they decided to talk to the media in hopes that her story would get through to others and encourage them to get the help Natalie neglected.
I am forever greatful for the help that Natalie encouraged me to get and I owe a portion of the last 64 (and counting) days of sobriety and happiness to her. My heart goes out to all the friends and loved ones of Natalie. May she rest peacefully, and may we all pray that others that are in the situation that myself and Natalie were in find the help they need.

Anthony