Chris Staniforth

by Sharon Staniforth
(Sheffield, England)

Chris was my son. He was a beautiful person, inside and out, he was very intelligent, had a very dry and quick wit, he was very kind, thoughtful and loving and I miss him so much. The pain is unbearable.

When he was in his room on the computer playing games I thought he was safe. More often than not he had friends with him; he would be in his bedroom; one would be on the computer downstairs, three would be on their laptops, and they were all networked playing games with other people (friends) around the world.

I was happy that I knew where he was (he was 20 but as any other mother will know, you never stop worrying about your children!), he wasn't driving around or hanging around on street corners being a nuisance or getting drunk in pubs and clubs.

If only we had been aware of the dangers of DVT, I am sure Chris would have followed the advice, he wasn't stupid, he would have listened, worked it out for himself and come to the conclusion that the advice was sound.

He might still be alive today!!!

I am not saying that it was gaming that killed him, but I am sure it was the way in which he played, he concentrated hard on the game and time passes very quickly when we are engrossed in something. He wouldn't have been aware of how long he had been playing.

I hope everybody takes the advice of the site - keep safe, practice safe-gaming. I wouldn't want any other mother or father or brother or grandparent or nephew or cousin .... or friend to go through what we are going through.

Sharon Staniforth

xx