October 23, 2007 was just like any other day in the Funk household.

Madison and her brothers, Tyler and Alex, woke up, were dressed, and fed breakfast. I remember this day specifically; Alex wanted "cheesy eggs". I was ahead of schedule that day, so cheesy eggs it was. Little did I know that this would be the last breakfast I would prepare for Madison.

This was a Tuesday, so Alex and Maddie went on a play date while their big brother was in school. Once home, both kids were put down for their nap as normal. This is where our lives changed forever.

When it was time to get up, Aunt “Yori” (as Maddie called her) went upstairs and witnessed the most horrific site anyone could imagine. Madison was lying beneath her dresser. Unconscious. After several attempts by Lori and the paramedics, Madison was pronounced dead.

Just that quick, our family would never be the same.

The only explanation is that Madison climbed her dresser. She was a climber, but we never imagined that she was strong enough to pull her dresser over onto herself. Tyler was 12, and Alex was 4. All three children had used this dresser.

In the coming days, it became abundantly clear...our story was not uncommon. Madison is one of many children who die or are injured due to furniture tip over.

It was then that I realized that I had an obligation to share our story, get the word out, and not stop until furniture safety, and tip over danger was as common to parents as car seat safety.

We know that our Maddie is watching down on us from Heaven, and would be proud to know that her family is keeping her spirit alive by getting her message, "Maddie's Message" out to the world.

— Carri McQuerrey-Funk