# data[].attributes.headline
I walk in memory of my son, Brendan Michael Shook. Brendan was an amazing father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and friend. He wore many hats, but his most important role was being a daddy to his newborn son, Dominic. Brendan technically lost his battle with depression on 11/8/2020. Brendans quick wit and sense of humor would have your stomach aching from the deep belly laughs he was guaranteed to give you. He was a big guy so who didnt know his own strength, he would high 5 you and you would fly across the room. He was passionate about his family, and we were passionate about him. He had so many friends from every walk of life. He went to jail for a traffic violation, he called me to come and pick him and gis new "friend" up. He didnt judge anyone for anything. He was a protector and if he cared about you, he made sure you knew it. Brendan and his grandfather were the best of friends, absolutely inseparable. I could go on and on about my big baby. He loved his dog Brolly, who he adopted and then lied about it to his grandfather. It will be a year this coming up Monday and I still wait for him to come home. Our last conversation was about Eeyore, one that I will forever treasure. I love you kiddo and will miss you forever.   

# data[].attributes.subject
I walk in memory of my son, Brendan Michael Shook. Brendan was an amazing father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and friend. He wore many hats, but his most important role was being a daddy to his newborn son, Dominic. Brendan technically lost his battle with depression on 11/8/2020. Brendans quick wit and sense of humor would have your stomach aching from the deep belly laughs he was guaranteed to give you. He was a big guy so who didnt know his own strength, he would high 5 you and you would fly across the room. He was passionate about his family, and we were passionate about him. He had so many friends from every walk of life. He went to jail for a traffic violation, he called me to come and pick him and gis new "friend" up. He didnt judge anyone for anything. He was a protector and if he cared about you, he made sure you knew it. Brendan and his grandfather were the best of friends, absolutely inseparable. I could go on and on about my big baby. He loved his dog Brolly, who he adopted and then lied about it to his grandfather. It will be a year this coming up Monday and I still wait for him to come home. Our last conversation was about Eeyore, one that I will forever treasure. I love you kiddo and will miss you forever.   

# data[].attributes.body
I'm walking for my fiance "Bubba" James Clayton Cambron, he lost his battle with mental health and depression on July 4th 2016 he is forever going to be missed. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him and wonder if I could have helped him if I had known what to look for, what to say??? So, I'm honoring Bubbas life by walking!

# data[].attributes.body
I walk for my cousin, Jake. I miss him each and every day. I love you, Jake, I should've told you that so much more.

# data[].attributes.body
I walk for my husband, Teddie. After his battle with depression, my family lost a husband, father, papaw, brother, uncle and friend on September 19, 2018 to suicide. We are forever changed by this tragic event.  Those of you that knew Teddie knew that he had a heart of gold, loved his grandbabies more than you can imagine, and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I think about him everyday. Participating in the Out of the Darkness walks are a way to show support for Teddie and all those affected by suicide, as well as providing support and resources for prevention. I walk for support. I walk for hope. I walk for love. I walk for Teddie.

# data[].attributes.body
Why I Walk - I walk for my son, because of the love that I will always have for my son, I walk.  My only son, D.J. Pelleter (aka DeeJay or David Pelletier, Jr.) passed by suicide on 04/12/2018 at the age of 23.  He serviced in our U.S. Navy from October 2012 to January 2016, just a few months shy of completing his 4 year contract.  But because of what happened to him while he was enlisted, MST & TBI he suffered from PTSD.  He decided that he couldn't stay long enough to receive his Honorable Discharge so he took an Other Than Honorable Discharge and returned home.  He was extremely depressed and won't talk about it.  He began self-medicating and just spiraled downward into deep despair.  There was no reaching him.  We (the ones that truly loved him) couldn't save him from ending his life.  I, personally, don't have THE ANSWER. As much as I loved (LOVE) my son, I still don't know what would have changed him mind. My hope is that with bringing awareness to every single person we can, as one, find THE ANSWER.

Sincerely, Laura Peters (D.J. Pelletier's Mom)

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” ― David Ellsworth from The Serenity of Selfism

# data[].attributes.body
Makes me smile

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (2010 Version) (Official Music Video)

# data[].attributes.body
In Honor of Nick Daugherty.

# data[].attributes.headline
Team Gentle Giant is from Clark county Indiana!   (Charlestown, Indiana)

# data[].attributes.subject
Team Gentle Giant is from Clark county Indiana!   (Charlestown, Indiana)

# data[].attributes.body
We walk for our son our only child Dalton.  He was the gentle giant because he was 6’9 and wouldn’t hurt anyone.  He was 24 years old and married with 2 beautiful little girls 1 and 3 years old. Our whole family is completely devastated and heartbroken.  We take it one day at a time and we get to see our little pieces of him as much as we want ( our granddaughters) so that’s what keeps us going.  I had to have something to focus on so I decided to create our team and become an advocate.  Dalton passed away March 27, 2020 and he would have been 25 on May 17.   We miss him so very much that it’s hard to breathe sometimes.

# data[].attributes.body
My virtual poster! :)

# data[].attributes.body
I walk for my younger brother Martin who left us in 2008. I walk to encourage others who have been affected by Suicide. I also walk to encourage healthcare providers and future nurses an awareness to this issue.

# data[].attributes.headline
I walk because of LOVE. How many broken hearts there out there were caused by suicide taken away their LOVE.  Those precious lives can be saved if we continue to raise awareness, to promote researches for cures. I lost my soulmate on 2005. He was a kind and caring gentleman. He was the rock of his family. I walked because those precious lives deserve to keep their journey going on with love and happiness. I miss Gary Hoffman, his caring heart, his loving personality and his compassion for the world. I walk every year to hope one day soon, No Suicide, No broken hearts. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I walk because of LOVE. How many broken hearts there out there were caused by suicide taken away their LOVE.  Those precious lives can be saved if we continue to raise awareness, to promote researches for cures. I lost my soulmate on 2005. He was a kind and caring gentleman. He was the rock of his family. I walked because those precious lives deserve to keep their journey going on with love and happiness. I miss Gary Hoffman, his caring heart, his loving personality and his compassion for the world. I walk every year to hope one day soon, No Suicide, No broken hearts. 

# data[].attributes.body
Why I walk Elizabethtown
I walk for my brother Brodie who took his own life 4/10/2020. This is all still very fresh for my family and we are just beginning the process of dealing with his loss. Brodie was the most amazing brother, uncle, son, and friend. He was always caring and trying to help others. He was a therapist and had just received his masters degree in social work. Our world was turned upside down that day. We are slowly trying to pick up the pieces and help others who are facing the same struggles. We miss him deeply. Our family is forever changed.

# data[].attributes.body
Why I walk - Elizabethtown, KY
I walk in memory of my son Justin Taylor who pasted away on 9/26/19. Justin was a happy kid close to everyone, specially family. Enjoyed working, never missed a day of work and was always early. He turned 19 on 9/11/19, signed the papers for his first house on 9/19/19 and on 9/24/19 we went to buy a truck he had been looking at. We worked at the same job, so when he had a bad day on 9/25 I didn't think much of it because it was normal, the one thing that wasn't normal was when he went home it wasn't to our house. Unfortunately on 9/26 when I got to work he wasn't their and I knew something was wrong and I was right. His dad called after I told him to go check on him. Justin wasn't open with his problems and had never dealt with them on his own and he was alone. He will always be loved and missed by friends and familIy so much. I'm so prouI of everythinI he accomplisheII I encourage people to be open and let people in, get the help, you deserve to be here.

# data[].attributes.body
I walk in honor of my husband Michael Thomas and our beautiful niece Kya Thomas. Michael had a beautiful smile, he worked hard and was loved by all who knew him. He lost his battle on February 6th,  2020. He was my world and I will not let him be forgotten.
I walk in honor of our beautiful niece Kya Thomas who left this world on December 7th,  2019. She was a beautiful young lady with the most contagious smile.
Both will be in our hearts forever. Forever loved but never forgotten. For them I walk

# data[].attributes.body
I walk for many reasons, those that hit close to home, and those that don't. I walk in memory my best friends sister Eve who took her own life very young. I walk in memory of my brothers best friend Austin Wagner aka Oreo who took his life while only in the 8th grade. I walk in memory of my dad's friend and coworker who took his own life after struggling for so long. I walk in memory of my childhood friend Amanda who took her life just last year. I walk for myself because I have struggled my whole life with depression and suicidal thoughts. I gave into those thoughts in 2006 and again in 2007. Im here on behalf of everyone who still struggles. I have ptsd and manic depression due to sexual abuse and childhood trauma, which goes hand in hand with suicidal thoughts. I didn't discover help, despite begging for it until 2 years ago, i am 31. I walk and volunteer because by sharing my story it let's people know they're not alone. Ive been there and im here to listen. I am safe. Like my mantra says "Be who you needed when you were little" I walk for that reason!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Kentucky Chapter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Kentucky Chapter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our 𝕤𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 for #WhyIWalkWednesday is Dana, the chair of the Kentucky Board and team captain of Pop’s Team:

“I walk in honor of my dad, Michael Moody. My dad lost his life January 9th, 2014....

# data[].attributes.body
I walk in Memory of my dad, Kenneth Lawrence who passed away in 2004. He was a husband, dad and grandfather that loved his family, but battled with alcoholism and depression. Even though we tried to get him help; we lost the battle. We found out about AFSP and began walking in 2006 as a family to remember him. In 2014 we decided to start a Motorcycle Event, thus "Run for the Light" Motorcycle Poker Run was created.

We have the event in June, because that is Kenneth's birth and the month of Father’s Day. We design shirts with the names of lost loved ones sponsored on the back, remembering why we are riding. The first 2 years, we only had 20 motorcycles, but we kept praying and planning. This year was our 7th Annual event. Due to the Covid we had to move it and make some changes. But we still had it, and it was our biggest year yet! We had 226 bikes and 331 riders show up to help bring awareness to the small town of Munfordville, KY. The total raised for the event this year is $10,561.31! The support that we have from our "family" is incredible! If you have never seen 200+ motorcycles roll out to remember loved ones, you are missing out. Every year we have someone come up to us and tell us that they have tried to end their life, and we tell them, ‘This is your ride. The next time you’re having trouble with your mental health, just remember that this is all for you!’ So, next time you see a bunch of bikers making you wait as they go through an area, remember they are more than likely riding for a benefit!

We participate in Out of the Darkness Walks so that others can have a chance to know that they are not alone, so that facilities are educated to help those who need it, and so that we can keep others from the pain of losing a loved one. - Jame L.

# data[].attributes.body
I lost my mom to suicide when I was two years old so I have always been somewhat of an advocate for Suicide Awareness. In May of 2018 my worst nightmare became my reality when I lost my only son to suicide. Mental Health became more real to me than I could have ever imagined. NOT ME!!! NOT MY CHILD!!! I raised my kids seeing the constant heartache my moms suicide left me with. I know my son was not himself when he died and would have never wanted to hurt anyone. His mental health became too much for him. I would love to teach others that this is NOT the answer, and to just hang on for another hour. It will get better, it can be ok. Ask for help. Reach out.

“All I have left of him is his memory and I will honor that by telling his story and sharing our experiences. I have walked in several walks. After losing my son, I moved to Bowling Green and joined in the efforts for the Bowling Green Area walk. - Cathy M.

# data[].attributes.body
I walk because of the loss of my best friend. On August 25, 2015 Maddie took her own life. Maddie was a beautiful and bright person with so much to offer this world. She had quite a sense of humor with a spice of sarcasm to match it. She excelled both in school and on the volleyball court. We had been friends since we were toddlers and as we grew older our bond grew stronger. We considered ourselves sisters, although she stood every bit of three heads taller than me. Over the years we spent countless days talking and laughing. There were many hours of volleyball practice, phone calls, and drinking Sonic slushies. Memories I will never forget.

That Tuesday evening was the start of a battle that will never end for me. That battle means living a life without my 'person' by my side. That day I lost more than just a friend. Along with Maddie went all of our secrets, our inside jokes, our future plans, and a piece of my heart. It has been almost 5 years and I still think about Maddie every day. There will never come a day she does not cross my mind. As I am nearing college graduation, I wonder what path she would have chosen. She would have excelled at anything. I wish more than anything she was here today. There have been many times I go to pick up my phone and dial her number that I still have memorized.

𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘍𝘚𝘗 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦. I walk to break the stigma. I walk for support. I walk because of my loss. I walk because I hope one day others won’t know the pain of losing someone they love to suicide. I walk to make Maddie proud. I walk because I am not alone. I walk because together we can change the world. - Allie S.

# data[].attributes.body
I walk in honor of my dad, John Sass. He was the most vibrant, strong, empathetic, and hardworking man I knew. After my mom passed, he took on the role as a single dad to three young girls. He loved nothing more than running marathons, coaching sports, cycling, watching football, and being surrounded by his best buds. My dad struggled silently with bipolar disorder and feelings of anxiety. He began to show signs of severe depression like not eating, losing interest in activities, not being able to sleep, and feelings of hopelessness. He ended his life on March 22, 2018.

"Since that day, life has not been easy. It has been filled with good days and bad days. It has consisted of trying to figure out what the new 'normal' is going to be. I cannot speak more highly of seeking out a licensed therapist. My therapist has helped me work through my feelings, find a voice to share my story, and find hope for the future ahead.

Last year was my first year participating in Louisville’s Out of the Darkness Walk. It was the most amazing experience. I was captain of Team Sass and my team raised $11,995!! We were the top team in the 2019 walk and I was the top fundraiser with over $5,000 raised. It was so humbling to see over 85 people come and walk in honor of my dad. It truly showed how loved he was. The walk was a perfect combination of honoring and remembering those that have died by suicide, while also providing support and resources for prevention.

I encourage those that are struggling with mental illness or thoughts of suicide to reach out to a family member, co-worker, close friend, therapist, or the local AFSP chapter. Suicide is preventable. The 𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠 helps raise awareness and provides resources for those that are struggling, or who have lost someone to suicide. Please join us this year on November 7, 2020 for the walk. These are the reasons why I walk, and I hope it encourages you to join me too.

# data[].attributes.body
I walk for my father, Chief Warrant Officer William MacKenzie. Bill was a wonderful father, husband, and friend and is missed every day. His grin lit up a room, and his laugh always brought smiles to others’ faces. One of my favorite memories of him is going to Barnes and Noble every few weeks to read and hang out at the café. As we spent time together reading, my dad would get a coffee, I would get a lemonade, and we would share a chocolate chip cookie. I therefore blame my dad for my love of reading and bookstores!

"At the time of his death in January 2003, my dad had served for over 20 years in the United States Coast Guard and Army. Throughout his service, he won numerous honors and awards for his outstanding work both in the military and his volunteer service. One of these awards was the prestigious Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal given to him in 2002. He also was awarded a Citation for Heroic Actions and Valiant Efforts by the city of Milwaukee for rescuing a helicopter pilot after the pilot crashed into an embankment of Lake Michigan. 𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩. The loss of Bill affected everyone who knew and loved him. I have volunteered with AFSP for four years now in memory of my dad, and I hope my dad is proud of who I have become. I hope that AFSP’s work will lead to a future where no one is ashamed of struggling, and where help is always available. - Samantha M.

# data[].attributes.body
My why I walk is for my daughter, Katrina Curtis. She ended her life on July 5, 2018. I want others to know that you can make it through anything you are faced with. You are worth living. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝. She lived in another state and I have so many "whys" and "what ifs" to live with. I walk for her and everyone else whom is struggling. I walk for more to converse about their feelings and how they can help themselves and others. I walk for research, evidence based studies and prevention. I walk for me and you. - Karen C.

# data[].attributes.body
I started having trouble with my mental health in middle school, but I don't think I recognized it until high school. All at once, everything seemed to fall apart, and I felt like I had no net to fall back on. In 2011, I survived an attempt, but thought that I did not need to seek assistance at that time. I would go on to attempt two more times that year. In 2012, I couldn't take any more and knew that I needed to seek help. I went into a partial hospitalization program and sought mental health treatment for the first time in my life.

Due to insurance restrictions, I was discharged after a month. However, that time in the program instilled something in me, and that was a passion to help myself and others. Years went by, and I began to learn more about advocacy and using my own experiences to do some good in my community. I began speaking out, mostly on social media, about why mental health is important and how to take care of it. I wanted others who were struggling to know that they are not alone.

In 2015, I discovered the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and attended my first Out of the Darkness walk in Louisville with my mother, as well as my sister, who has also struggled with her mental health. To this day, an enduring image in my mind is that of hundreds of people both in front and behind me, walking for common goals: advocacy, awareness, prevention, healing, and to stop suicide. Maybe most importantly to me at the time though, was that 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, and would never be alone.

A mental health community is such a beautiful thing, and I have found it with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. After participating twice in the Louisville walk, I wanted to share the experience. I am now the Walk Chair for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk to be held in Elizabethtown, Kentucky; the first of its kind. This walk has helped me to realize exactly #WhyIWalk: I walk for myself, and for my sister. I walk for my friends who I love dearly that I know struggle. I walk to educate, to advocate, and to help. I walk to let everyone else know that their feelings are IMPORTANT. I walk to remind everyone who, like me, needs to hear it that they are not alone in this world. - Jake R.

# data[].attributes.body
𝙄 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚. Growing up, I was always a daddy's girl. He was a great father- very loving and fun to be around. He was an easy man to love, but he never had an easy life. He battled with addiction issues and mental illness his whole life. I was still not prepared to get the call telling me he ended his life. No one I knew had died this way, so the loss was as confusing as it was tragic. I turned myself inside out with guilt. The 'what ifs' kept me up at night.

In 2018 I stumbled on AFSP Louisville Out of the Darkness walk information online. I was excited to do something to honor my dad. But I was also nervous. I am not super confident in my interpersonal social skills, especially when I was dealing with so many emotions. That first year I didn't raise money, I just showed up at the walk. I needed to be able to dip my toe in and see what AFSP was all about. That first year was a turning point for me. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people there. I spent so many years wrestling with grief alone, I was amazed there was this very large community that knew exactly how I felt. The walk was equal parts a celebration of life and a memorial for those we loved. I left that day with my heart lighter than it had been in years. I knew I had found a way to help, to educate myself and others, and to finally start to heal.

The following year I organized two very amazing fundraisers and became one of the top fundraisers my first year trying. I am also gay, and the LGBT community is very important to me. AFSP has taught me the statistics for people in my community can be as much as 10 times more likely to make a suicide attempt. I used the fundraisers to help spread awareness in the LGBT community.

AFSP and the Out of the Darkness walks have made me feel empowered. I walk because I know I can make a difference. I walk because I can use my voice to help others. I walk because I know I am not alone and together we can stop suicide. I walk because I will always love my Dad. - Amy C.