Toni died in 1999 in Australia, when she was just 3 years and 11 months old. She was injured by her seat belt in a car accident. Our car had 5 people in it and everyone else walked away without injury, including Toni's 5 day old baby brother.
Toni suffered chest injuries from her seat belt. She was in an ADULT seat belt in the rear seat of the car. We didn't know this was not safe for our child. We were ill-informed and the knowledge was not readily available for us as parents.
I wanted to share our story so parents can be informed
Toni was nearly 4 years old and restrained only by an adult seat belt. She didn't want to sit in a baby seat anymore cause she was a big girl now. We didn't know that this move could kill her. To know now that had she been in a child car seat or wearing a harness, she could still be here with us today is devastating.
Toni was our second daughter. She was born after one and a half hours of labor. She had a head full of blonde hair, but not quite as white blonde as her big sister. She had the most amazing dimples from the time she was born. She was eager to enter this world as quickly as possible, and when she did, she made the most of everything.
She walked when she was 9 months old. People never believed me until Stephanie walked at the same age. Although, to say she walked is a bit of an understatement - Toni RAN! It was like she knew she had to fit so much into a short period of time. When she ran, she didn't do it quietly either; she was like an elephant!
She was the most happy, energetic child. She always made you laugh. When we told her she was going to be a big sister, she was so excited. We didn't realize how long 9 months was to a 3 year old. She would get into the bath with me and kiss the baby (my tummy) and laugh as the baby would kick the soap off my tummy. She was so happy when her new brother arrived. It had taken so long to get him here. She would pick out the outfit he would wear the next day before she went to bed. When I was in the hospital, she would run down the hallway and all the nursing staff would laugh.
Toni and Shannen had caught the chicken pox two weeks before the baby was due and when he was born, they still had a few marks on their faces. One particular nurse was a bit funny about them being near the baby, but I told her it was their baby too.
Toni and her sister Shannen were best friends. They would sing and dance and Toni was like Shannen's shadow. They slept about two meters apart and up until Shannen started school, they had spent their entire life together. They were as close as you always want your children to be.
Toni was a constant audience member at the Sapphire Dance Academy, where her Aunties Hailey and Cindy attended dance lessons two times a week. She would stay with her nanny while I worked and attend their after school activities.
After Toni passed away, Meryl (now the owner of Starz Academy, Bomaderry) sponsored a trophy in honor of Toni - The Toni Perry Memorial Trophy for the Most Promising Baby! It is such an honor to present the trophy at the Nowra Stage and Dance Festival.
Toni died as a result of an accident in which she was a back seat passenger on the Princes Highway in Bomaderry. We think the adult seat belt she was wearing caused internal injuries which took her tiny little life. But her memory will always live on in the many many hearts of those who knew her, and the many who didn't.
This is the last picture taken of Toni - she died a few hours later:
I hope I can help save another family of the heartbreak we went through and are still going through and will continue to suffer, by raising the awareness of having your child suitably restrained according to their age and weight.
We love and miss you so much and think of you every single day.
Please visit Toni's memorial website and light a candle for her -
Toni Perry - Memory-Of
The Perry Family have joined forces with the Broadhead Family in Australia to raise awareness about car seat safety and to campaign for stricter laws regarding child restraints in their country. Please visit their website to learn more and support their cause - The BelleToni Association for Child Passenger Safety
Leanne Perry produced a couple of YouTube videos along the lines of Kyle's to get her message out - you can view the here - Toni's 2nd YouTube video and here - Toni's 1st YouTube video
Please also view the news story featuring Toni Perry and Isabelle Broadhead - A Current Affair
