Just give her some music...
This cause is very personal to me/ us. As our family and close friends know, following my 2011 car crash, resulting in numerous lifelong injuries (including a TBI), AND the source of my income- I slipped slowly into a deep clinical depression, as the first anniversary approached.
I was hospitalized by force, on a suicide watch in a psychiatric facility. I received immediate help and medications to manage my depression, and started learning all about the results and effects of my brain injury. I have a Psychiatrist and Therapist, that I trust.
Yes, I said it. I'm different, damaged, and GRATEFUL. I hold my head high. It IS what it is. No shame.
Sadly, January of 2013, our next door neighbors' beautiful 23 yr old daughter, Caitlin Moire Duffy, attempted suicide only to pass away in February, from those very permanent injuries. She was what everyone dreams their child would be- Radiant to all others, Creative, Hilarious (as all heck), Talented, Loyal, loved by all that knew her… She was a TRUE angel on Earth.
She grew up with the fearlessness of a tiger, yet cooed like a kitten if you'd scratch her itch. She danced wildly, like the jungle roars-- she loved passionately as a complete soul with no bounds. Caity, she was a special one, a rare gem in the sand. She traveled the barren deserts of the holy lands, on foot with her brother, Michael. She loved the hungry children of Africa, where she traveled to know them, with her big sister Meg. She went to the Colorado mountains to do her studies in college, and make TRUE friendships with ALL walks of people. She graduated (on stage in her "Rainbow Warrior" hat, and came home to her parents, and told them one night - that she thought God wanted her back home...
You see, Caitlin was bipolar, a form of mental illness, that went undiagnosed for years...Upon massive fear for their precious daughter, they admitted her to a psychiatric hospital to obtain treatment, as any devoted caring parents would. It is there, in insurmountable gut wrenching confusion and pain, that Caity, did indeed take her own life.
Caitlin's Rainbow Warriors, just past it's first date of inception. While we are making huge strides to raise funds for Suicide and Mental Illness, we find it bittersweet. We can't believe we have been so distracted with our good works, that time has been starting to heal our heavy hearts.
We again, will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in Chicagoland 'Out of the Darkness' Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We would appreciate any support that you give us for this worthwhile cause, including attending & sharing our story/ message.
We are choosing to celebrate her life, and all the sheer joy she brought to all that knew her, and to help understand the signs of mental illness- preventing another family from the incredible anguish that her parents, siblings, extended family, and friends experienced from losing her too prematurely.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 38,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.
Please take time to "share" our video, our story, our pain. http://goo.gl/h0luZZ
The message that I'm trying to convey is:
She's everyone's child, ANYBODY's child - the HAPPY "girl next door"... Take a moment to ask someone, "How are you today?" and take that EXTRA moment to "hear" the answer & PAY ATTENTION..
"Someone's child, someone's sister, died that day, and on THAT day- it wasn't mine.
Please "be aware", and keep it that way...
Love to you all.