Forever Fourteen: Maddie’s Photo on My Fridge and the Journey of Life
A simple photo on my fridge tells a profound story. While pictures of my sons change with each milestone—graduations, travels, and new adventures—Maddie’s Grade 8 photo remains frozen in time. Nearly 10 years after her passing, her legacy continues to grow through her brothers’ advocacy for mental health. Life moves on, but Maddie’s radiant smile reminds us of love, loss, and the power of memory.
Why I Won’t Answer How Maddie Died—and 5 Questions Never to Ask a Grieving Parent
When a parent loses a child to suicide, grief is complex and raw. Well-meaning questions can unintentionally deepen their pain. Instead of probing for details, focus on respecting their boundaries. Certain inquiries can imply blame or stir unresolved pain, making the journey harder. Support is best shown through presence, understanding, and letting the grieving parent share on their terms. Sometimes, the most comforting words are simply, “I’m here for you.
Twenty-Two Missed Calls: The Moment I Knew My Worst Fear Had Come True
This is the opening chapter of my book, Wake Up, You Could Lose Your Teen to Suicide. Writing it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. Reliving those moments brought a flood of vivid memories and the searing pain of the night we lost my 14-year-old daughter, Maddie, to suicide.
On the night of April 10, 2015, I was jolted awake by an urgent voice and a series of missed calls, leading to the devastating truth: Maddie was gone. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, a moment that shattered my world. But from this unimaginable tragedy came a commitment—a mission to change how we approach mental health.
My goal is to ensure no family has to experience the same unbearable pain we did that night. Through better awareness, support, and prevention, I want to make sure that parents, children, and communities are equipped to handle the challenges of mental health in ways we weren’t. This book is my way of turning that grief into action, and my hope is that it will help save lives.
Transforming Pain into Purpose: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Inspiring Change
Experience the raw emotions of grief and loss as one parent shares their ongoing journey after the tragic death of their daughter, Madeline. Discover the power of community support, fundraising initiatives, and the impact of The Maddie Project in raising awareness for youth mental health. Explore the transformative effects of pain and how it fuels resolve and purpose in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Join the conversation surrounding mental health, suicide prevention, and the pursuit of healing. #GriefandLoss #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicideSurvivor #CommunitySupport #HealingJourney #MaddieProject #YouthMentalHealth #FundraisingInitiatives #PhillipsHouse #ResolveandPurpose.