Stamford Fire Father Apologizes For Comments, Puts New Energy Into Dyslexia Fund

STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Haunted by his response during a magazine interview now out on newsstands, Matthew Badger, father of the three children killed in the Christmas day fire in Stamford has apologized.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story

These days, Badger is putting his all into the LilySarahGraceFund, which he setup in memory of his three children.

The money goes to help teach children who are dyslexic in schools across the country by using art. One of his daughters had dyslexia.

LINK: LilySarahGraceFund

Badger recently told a reporter for New York magazine that he was not pleased that only $1,200 was raised during a fundraiser in Norwalk. He called the amount pitiful and offensive.

"I put my three daughters out there. And this is what they're worth?" he said in the interview.

Now, Badger is sorry he said it.

"I would like to apologize to the people who donated their money. I would like to say that any donation to our fund is fantastic," he told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau. "Any donation that is made in Lily, Sarah, or Grace's name is great and I don't want to imply or dishonor the people that did put money forward."

Badger's heart has gone from utter despair after the tragedy, which also claimed the lives of his children's maternal grandparents, to a place of hope.

Working with the fund and the children who benefit has helped him tremendously, says Badger, who admits that after his terrible loss, he thought seriously of ending his life.

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