Indy mom invited to the White House
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – DeAndra Yates received an invitation she wasn’t expecting. It came in the form of an invitation, but it wasn’t just any invite it was from the White House.
“It was pretty exciting and unexpected,” said Yates.
The email was followed up with a phone call from the White House requesting Yates presence at the Oval Office.
Yates accepted. She arrived on Monday she had a meeting with President Obama’s advisers on gun control. Then on Tuesday, she sat inches away from the President as he gave an executive order designed to expand background checks on guns bought online and at gun shows.
Unfortunately, Yates knows all to well the devastating impact guns can have when placed in the wrong hands.
One night in 2014, Yates’ son Dre, asked to attend a birthday party. Yates agreed to let him go to the party.
Later that night, Yates received a phone call that Dre had been shot in the head. He survived, but he suffered a serious brain injury.
“He is doing good he is rehab, he is making progress,” said Yates.
As she helps her son recover, she’s worked to spread the word about gun control. Because of her efforts President Obama wanted her at the White House this week.
She also attended a town hall meeting hosted by CNN’S Anderson Cooper. During the discussion she sat and listened as Cooper and others asked the President questions about the country’s gun laws.
“We need money in our community. Our boys and girls clubs need money. We need more money, recreation programs to keep our kids off the streets,” said Yates.
IMPD has never caught the suspect who is responsible for firing the shots that struck Dre. Police will still take tips in Dre’s shooting on the Crime Stoppers tip line at 317-262-8477.
