#WhyIWalk: Cheyenne

Leading up to the 2016 Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk in Staunton, Augusta Free Press shares #WhyIWalk profiles of local people and why they are choosing to walk on October 8.

Register for free to walk or learn more at bit.ly/2awG5aT.

I walk because on March 19, 2013 my sister that was only 13 months older than me died by suicide. We were extremely close and shared so much with each other. Her death has made such a lasting impact on me, and has devastated me. It has taken a toll on me and I’ve had to battle my own demons of just wanting to die, just so I can be with her, this is how much I miss her. It has been 3 years since her death and even though there are days I still struggle with the grief from her death, I want more than ever for my voice to be heard about suicide prevention.

After going through the depths of my own depression I can so understand what it feels like to get to that point of feeling alone, and that you just want to go away and disappear. After battling with severe health issues and depression in 2014 I knew something had to change for me, to make me see that my life was worth something. I refused to give up and I didn’t want my sister’s story to just be dangling in the wind as just another “suicide”. I decided to fight and get help through a therapist and to deal with the grief that I was experiencing from my sister’s death. I didn’t want to be trapped in that black hole any longer digging my way out.

There is hope on the outside of that hole, and I was going to find it no matter how long it would take me. The one message that needs to be heard by everyone that may be struggling with these thoughts of suicide is that there is help out there, you don’t have to suffer in silence. I want to be the voice for my sister and for others before its too late. If I can raise awareness toward Suicide Prevention, then to me my sisters voice is being heard!

I’m walking in memory of beautiful sister Pamela S. Stone who left this world too soon. She will always be my guiding angel wherever I go!

#WhyIWalk: Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness

• Walk With Us on October 8
• Walk Location: Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton
• Check-in/Registration Time: 10/08/2016 at 8:00 am
• Walk Begins: 10:00 am
• Walk Ends: 12:30 pm