Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Road So Far 2.0: Always Keep Fighting

I don't know why I always get the urge to write late at night, my thoughts seem to flow better during this time. Anyway, I was inspired by Jared to share my story. I don't talk about this often, in fact I usually avoid bringing it up but it IS a subject that needs to be adressed and if it can help save one person it is beyond worth it.

I do have first hand experience with suicide. My dad suffered from bipolar disorder and struggled with it for as far back as I can remember. He ultimately took his own life in 2009 when I was 17. That was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever had to go through and have been a strong advocate of suicide prevention ever since. 

On the flip side, I have also struggled with depression issues myself. Around the time I found Supernatural I was in a very dark place. I felt very lost and very lonely. There were times that year that the thought of suicide crossed my mind. I never made any attempts or any plans, but I did have those thoughts. 

Then I discovered Supernatural by chance. Did I think right away when I started watching it that it was going to save my life? No. I didn't even realize half of the affect that it would have on me. Honestly, I thought okay it's a show with 2 hot guys in a hot car with ghosts and monsters. But it made me happy. Then as I got more into the story I realized it was so much more. I related to these characters. I noticed immediately that I  connected very deeply with Sam. And then I discovered the fandom, and that gave me something to belong to. I especially loved how connected the cast was to the fans and the way they thought of them as family. 

Soon I didn't only have a connection to Sam, I also had one to Jared. He gave me happiness, he gave me hope and he gave me inspiration to keep going. Sometimes still during that year I would have moments of wanting to give up but knowing I was going to get to meet him was the main reason I wanted to push through. I wanted to be here for that. And meeting him was a truly life changing experience. We only exchanged a few words but he gave me so much inspiration to keep going. He is the reason I turned my life around, the reason I felt determined to get to a happier place. And even though I'm still working on getting to where I ultimately want to be, and even though I still have my moments of weakness I am inspired to always keep going, because of him.

I can't  think of a better campaign and better message for Jared to be a leader for. It is everything Supernatural, Sam Winchester and Jared Padalecki are to me. A symbol of hope, a symbol of strength, and an inspiration to never give up, to ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING. And I couldn't be more proud of him, or to support this cause. You are an amazing individual Jared, I love you.❤️

Please if you or someone you know is suffering from depression, talk about it! And please support this amazing cause: