Ten years ago, on May 29, Amy and Kevin Cunningham received the worst news any parent can hear: their son Michael had passed away during an accident while boating at Stonewall Jackson Lake. What followed was a decade of mourning for the Cunningham family and Michael’s friends, but also a change that has saved countless others from a hazardous situation many knew nothing about prior to 2010.

 

Shortly before his 16^thbirthday, Michael was boating at Stonewall Jackson Lake with his best friend, Hallie Kittle. While the two swam near the marina, they were shocked by an electrical current from the dock that had leaked into the houseboat.  When Michael grabbed the boat ladder, he was electrocuted.  While Kittle was also shocked, she survived and was ultimately awarded a scholarship in Michael’s name when she graduated in 2012, the year he would have also graduated. 

 

Because it is often not recognized as a drowning death, the number of people who die from Electric Shock Drowning is unclear. What became clear, however, is that until Cunningham’s death, West Virginia did not have a law that required ground -fault circuit interrupters that would disconnect electrical circuits when safety levels were surpassed. Using Michael’s legacy and an agent of change, the Cunninghams worked tirelessly to create a safety law that would prevent future families from having to undergo such pain.

 

House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley sponsored the legislation for the Michael Cunningham Act and exactly three years after the accident, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed it into law in front of the students, faculty and staff of Bridgeport High School. The law requires that all boat dock and marina owners install permanent safety signage at 80 feet of distance to give warning of the risk of electrical shock within 100 yards of the boat dock. It also requires that electrical wiring be installed and maintained by a valid WV electrician and that an inspection be performed at least every three years.

 

The first year after Michael’s accident, a Walk-a-thon was held in his honor to raise money for the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, a non-profit devoted to saving the lives of those who frequent recreational waters. Spreading awareness and education about the phenomenon is a top priority for the organization.

 

Michael’s father Kevin is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association for his birthday this year, which is currently posted on his Facebook page and open to any donations.

 

Each year, on Michael’s birthday, friends and family gather at Michael’s grave and release balloons to keep his memory alive. The family also has a large plastic tablecloth that is used and everyone signs it, allowing for younger cousins who did not have the chance to meet Michael to participate in his legacy. The celebration of life is held annually and continues to offer comfort to the family as they share stories about him.

 

Christmas was simply magical for Michael and he loved decorating his own tree and covering the yard with inflatables. After his accident, his mother, Amy, continued his tradition, and the house became a favorite for drive-by observers, who could see more than 40 inflatables on display. Now, the family a Christmas light display of Michael in the Celebration of Lights at Morris Park in Fairmont.The display is a lighthouse, a nod to one of his favorite places, Outer Banks, North Carolina. The lighthouse will be on display each year to honor him and to keep his memory alive.

 

Amy Cunningham currently teaches the legal class for the Health Information Technology Program at Pierpont Community and Technical College.  Each year, she uses Michael’s accident as an opportunity to students to learn how a bill becomes law in West Virginia and how to learn more about the Michael Cunningham Act. Her lessons bring awareness ab out the silent killer and improves empathy for those pursuing a career in Health Information Technology.

 

After a decade, the pain of the Cunningham’s loss continues but they are taking every opportunity to make sure Michael is not forgotten and that his memory continues to inspire others. He was an active member of the BHS Band, a well-known face on BMS’s Tomahawk Talk and involved with BHS Student Council. His friends, classmates and family continue to celebrate his life and find new ways to honor him through service.

 

For additional information about Electric Shock Drowning, visit www.electricshockdrowing.org. To donate, visit Kevin Cunningham’s Facebook page.