USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear First Lady Dawn Moore,
My name is Donna Bruce, mother of Devon Wellington. Devon was a thriving meek, mild
mannered young man. Devon was respectful and kind to everyone he encountered,
Devon Wellington was very popular in school and even crowned prom king. Devon
became a Sous Chef and used cooking to show his love for his family and daughter. Yet
Devon suffered with mental health and substance misuse. My son denied access to
treatment because of lack of insurance. There were times Devon, and I would travel from
Maryland to Pennsylvania to seek treatment and rehabilitation due to lack of medical
insurance. Medical Insurance should not be a barrier for people to get help! On
7/24/2021, my son Devon LaVar Wellington ultimately succumbed to this fight when he
was found unresponsive in his truck. Our last conversation was I love you and I pray you
get some help.
Losing my son was unexpected and untimely. He leaves behind a little girl who misses
him every day. We cannot change what happened. We are simply asking for your
support.
I am writing this letter to you for a minor yet tall ask. As a mother, I hope you can
understand the importance of remembrance.
We need your support for a wall as recognition and to remember who we lost. The Drug
Epidemic Memorial Wall in Maryland’s Capitol. How wonderful it would be to have a
permanent reminder to honor our children, family and loved ones. From our current
efforts, we have created Memorial Walls, one with names only and the other with photos.
Today, instead of snapping a picture of my son, laughing or talking to my son, I created a
virtual frame.
The virtual is updated regularly. We would like our loved ones to be memorialized. My son
did not have to die from a health condition which simply could have been medically
treated. People are losing their lives.
We are highly interested in meeting you. Together, we can find a home for the Memorial
Wall.
Sincerely,
Donna Bruce, Devon’s Mom
Baltimore, Maryland
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