8-year-old Splashpad shooting survivor donates slime that restored his laugh
Splashpad shooting survivor found his laughter thanks to slime
For 8-year-old Janek Bebout, last summer would bring about a life-altering act of violence that would change his world forever. But he has since found his laughter - and hopes to share it with other children.
(FOX 2) - Sometimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference.
For one 8-year-old boy who had his life forever altered after the mass shooting at the Oakland County splash pad shooting last year, the spark that made a world of difference was a cup of slime that made a funny sound it made when you squeezed it.
Big picture view:
Janek Bebout lost his eyesight after a gunman opened fire at a Rochester Hills water park in 2024. He was one of nine people to be struck at the Brooklands Splashpad last June.
Remarkably, every victim survived. But the consequences and trauma of the mass shooting continue to ripple for the families involved.
More than seven months later, Bebout finds himself in the same place where he received critical care at Corewell Children's Hospital in Royal Oak. Behind him were 2,400 containers of slime.
"I just want to put a smile on every kid's face," he told reporters Friday.
The squishy stuff was a key piece behind Bebout's recovery because of the sound it made.
"He laughed so hard and when he laughed my son hit his knees and he cried and he said ‘Mama you gave me my son’s laughter back’," said Barb Soffin, Bebout's grandma.
His mom, Johanna, won't be surprised by the inspiration her son's heartfelt creation stirs.
"How he has overcome everything within these last six months. How he is dealing with his new life navigating, now by being blind and then having this great idea of donating and giving back to the kids on top of that, he is so inspiring to so many people," she said.
What they're saying:
Bebout still remembers the moment he heard the sound. It may come as no surprise why it made him laugh so hard.
"When Nana gave me the slime I laughed, so I decided to name it ‘Janek’s laughter’ and I wanted to give it to other kids so they can laugh too and have fun in the hospital," said Bebout.
And it wasn't just Bebout laughing.
"Even the surgeons that worked on me, they all laughed," said Bebout.
While not a surgeon, Amanda Lefkof was there during Bebout's recovery. She couldn't help but laugh too.
"I think I just kept coming in your room and bothering you just so I could hang out with you and we could play with the slime together," she said.
Dig deeper:
The slime behind Bebout wasn't just for decoration.
Those containers will be donated to Corewell Hospital in hopes that anyone else in need of a little laugh will find it in a jar of slime.