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

Dear First Lady Sarah Stitt,
My name is Angie Courtney. My husband, Larry, and I live in Miami, Oklahoma. We lost
our son, Max, on October 26, 2013, in Wichita, Kansas. Max was born in Ponca City,
Oklahoma on October 17, 1991. There has never been a baby more wanted and loved
than Max. He was the only grandson of his grandfather to continue his name, so to say he
was wanted would be an understatement. He was born perfect. Max was a beloved son,
brother, daddy, uncle, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend. He was such a joy to so
many.
He started showing signs of depression and anxiety in middle school. He didn’t like how
the medications made him so lethargic. He barreled through until his sophomore year
when he was introduced to marijuana. Max was in and out of boys’ homes, rehabs, courtordered
placements, due to marijuana and stealing, until he was 18. Next, it was jail.
Max’s dream was to own his own restaurant and call it ‘Eat to the Max’. Max was very
witty and very bright. He was a Duke Tip Talent student in the seventh grade when he
scored in the 99th percentile in English on the Iowa Basic Skills testing. Much to our
dismay, he hated being smart.
Max was a 17-year-old dad to Carter. He loved him very much.
The poisoning of Max was never investigated. Although, the dealer was charged with
possession. My husband and I attended every court appearance. At his last hearing, we
asked the judge if we could give a victim’s impact statement. The judge said, “No”,
suggesting that we were not victims. We were devastated all over again. Our child was
poisoned to death, but we were not the victims. The dealer received probation. There was
no justice for Carter’s daddy and our beautiful son, Max.
Max felt like all the world’s pressure was on him. At the age of 22 years and nine days,
Max did heroin for the last time.
Please consider Max’s story for the Memorial Wall. He is still loved and missed beyond
measure. Thank you for your support in bringing awareness to our state.
Sincerely,
Angie Courtney – Max’s mom; forever 22
Miami, Oklahoma
743