DANGEROUS GAME
by Adam Wilson (Altoona Herald)

By all accounts Michael Clark was a typical teenager who enjoyed music, video games and was usually the first in line for snacks.

Unlike many children his age Michael, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Southeast Polk Junior High (shown at left), loved to mow the lawn. He was also heavily involved with the youth group at New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.

“Michael loved life,” said his mother, Melissa Clark. “He loved people, and people loved him,” which is why it was such a shock when Troy Clark, Michael’s father, found Michael slumped against his bunk bed at around 10 p.m. Jan. 23 with one end of his Tae Kwon Do belt tied to the bed, the other around his neck.

“I screamed for (Melissa) to call 911,” Troy said.

“I’m sure it took longer, but it seems like the police … were there right away,” Melissa said.

Michael could not be revived.

Michael didn’t commit suicide. He died playing a so-called “game” that has been around for decades but has recently gained popularity — and stolen lives — among young people across the country.

“Michael loved his family and he loved his friends,” said Melissa. “He never would have done anything to put us through so much pain intentionally.”

*Dangerous game
“The Choking Game” is a potentially deadly trend in which children, typically between the ages of nine and 14, use a bag, belt, necktie or even their bare hands to cause hypoxia, a shortage of oxygen to the brain that results in unconsciousness or near unconsciousness.

The following seconds, in which oxygen is allowed to return to the brain and the body revives itself, results in a tingly, dream-like, euphoric state.

The “game” — known, among other names, as Airplaning, Blackout Game, California Dreaming, Funky Chicken, Pass-out Game and Space Cowboy because of its effects — has been passed down for generations in schoolyards, summer camps and neighborhoods. Many children aren’t experiencing the natural high they’re expecting because they never wake up.

Michael didn’t wake up, and the Clarks wonder how many other children must suffer the consequences of their own risky behavior before parents begin to take notice.

“It’s so widespread, and it’s just not something that you think of as a parent,” Melissa said of “The Choking Game.” “Alcohol and drugs are obvious things, this is not obvious.”

*Learn from Michael
The Clarks have spent hours since Michael’s death researching the “game” that took their eldest child from them.

“In my research they tell you what the signs are if your kids are doing it,” said Melissa. Children playing “The Choking Game” may have any of the following indications: unusual markings on the neck or chest, complaints of headaches and bloodshot eyes.

“We really knew Michael and we never, ever saw any signs. It was the first time he ever tried it,” Melissa said.

One time is all it takes for someone playing “The Choking Game” to lose everything.

“Parents need to realize that it’s just as important to talk to their kids about (‘The Choking Game’) as drugs and alcohol,” Troy said. “Just look at Michael; it just took once.”

Southeast Polk School District and Central Place Family Resource Center have joined forces to help curb risky behavior — including “The Choking Game” — among adolescents. SEP Superintendent Tom Downs and Central Place Director Cathy Beck-Cross met for 90 minutes last Friday with the school district’s counselors and support staff to discuss the wide range of risky behaviors and develop strategies to address each.

This spring the Herald-Index and the Southeast Polk will develop a series on risky adolescent behaviors and how to prevent another tragedy like Michael’s. The Clarks already have decided to join the district’s fight and in the future may tour the state, speaking with groups who may be at risk to these behaviors.

“We know Michael didn’t die in vain because too many people have already come up to us and said that they’ve spoken with their children,” said Troy. “A lot of them have said their kids have done it or know people who do it.”

“We’ve had people our age — and I’m almost 40 — come up and tell us that they’ve done it,” Melissa said. “You have to talk to your kids even if they don’t want to talk about it. There’s a time when you just have to be the parent and say ‘You can’t do this … and this is why.’

“Michael has already touched so many lives. Now parents need to step up and get educated about this to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”