You know me, I am Brandon Cole's mother, and I miss him deeply. Most of you just know me as "Lana" or "Brandon's Mom". I have sat beside you since grade one and listened to you read your first stories. I have marked your spelling tests, traveled with you on field trips, watched you boogie at school dances, shared many lunches with you and I ache for your pain as well as my own. You know me.

How I wish it were me up here, able to stand before you. I know I would look out and see all your familiar faces and I would not be able to hold back my tears. I have watched you grow from young children to young adults. Now I will have to watch you move on, without Brandon. So many memories... So many reflections... Perhaps many regrets...

I want you to know that Brandon's family is very strong and we will get through this. We his parents, his little brother and baby sister find comfort knowing that Brandon is at peace. We know you were perhaps unaware of the pain and suffering that Brandon endured on a daily basis. He was so strong; he didn't want anyone to know what he was going through. He just wanted to be treated like a "normal" kid. We as his family saw this strength on a regular basis, and we draw from that strength today and forever more. Perhaps we should have told you what he was up against; perhaps it would have made a difference in your treatment of him; perhaps not.

Brandon was only five years old when he was diagnosed with a rare condition called Neurofibromotosis. I will not even begin to try to explain it to you. Even before he was five he was already way more familiar with doctors and hospitals than a five year old should be. His condition was incurable, ever-changing and always unpredictable. He sometimes faced a minimum of 15-20 doctors' appointments every year but he always faced them with that smile of his that many of you will always remember. Only a parent can truly understand the strength he must have had inside to endure it all and still keep his positive outlook on life. Though he took his own life, we as his family can only be thankful that he is no longer suffering and we know in our hearts that he knew how much we loved him.

Most of you have known Brandon since grade one, or at least knew of him. We all know of the trials and tribulations that Brandon was faced with at school. We all know the bullying he endured. We also know there are many of you out there who struggle with knowing Brandon took his own life. He struggled with his peers from such a young age and he felt none of you wanted to be his friend. Brandon would say, "That's OK, Mom, I'm used to it!" when he would find me crying for his loneliness. Many of you will be remembering Brandon, and remembering the times you shared with him. Some of those will be heart-warming memories, others not so much. Do not let Brandon's life be in vain, but reflect and learn so that others will not suffer needlessly as Brandon did.

Each one of us is placed on this earth to serve some purpose. We'd like to think that Brandon's life was lived in such a way as to serve as an example to all parents, educators and peers. We always told Brandon that everyone was dealing with something, whether it was visible or not. We told him that everyone has their own burdens to bear and to always have tolerance and understanding for each person's unique challenges in life. When you think of Brandon, let it be a reminder to reach out to the next person who is not quite the "same" as everyone else and embrace their differences.

• Introduction
• Dedication
• Medical Problems
• His Medical Team
• His Education
• His Teen Years
• His Death
• His Challenge To You
• Photo Gallery