In Memory of Casey Spaeth
We are raising money to donate to the Discovery House in Spirit Lake to aid in mental health and homeless people in recovery in memory of Casey Spaeth as he would volunteer here with his father, Chris Spaeth.
The Journey of Casey Spaeth . . .
As most of you already know, we lost Casey on April 19. We wanted to share with you the journey of Casey that ended after a short 23 years.
During his high school years Casey was an honor roll student and known for being a kind, compassionate and happy person. In 2015 Casey received his Liberal Arts degree from DMACC and went on to study at ISU.
In 2016 Casey was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. We believe a combination of genetic predisposition and drug experimentation during his time at ISU is where his battle with mental health began.
Although Casey was not accepting of the diagnosis, legal trouble soon found him along with the disease. This lead to three separate court ordered stays at mental health facilities. That resulted in a court ordered medication schedule to control the Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. This caused Casey to accept the diagnosis.
Casey moved back into our family home and tried to live a normal life with the disease. He was doing volunteer work as well as holding down a job. After about 6 months Casey started feeling ill, having seizures and complaining that the medication made him feel lethargic and depressed. These are all common side effects of the medications given for the treatment of these disorders to help with combating the chemical imbalance in the brain.
Prior to April of this year, Casey was the best we had seen him in a long time. He was going out and doing things again. Working, socializing and volunteering. His huge heart and the caring Casey we all knew was making a comeback!
Then, April 19th our world came crashing down. Casey walked out in front of a truck, ending his journey here on this earth.
A note from Casey’s phone – January 2018
“For over the past year I have been court ordered to get a shot of “medicine.” What this shot does is block the brain from producing dopamine. As most people know, dopamine is what gives someone pleasure. So this drug essentially blocks you from enjoying life and living in the moment. I’ve been living with little to no pleasure. I don’t enjoy anything and can’t put my heart into anything I do. I feel as if my soul has been ripped in to pieces and it’s destroyed my will to live”
Our goal in sharing Casey’s story is to bring more awareness to issues that are in the mental health system, and the day to day things that those who suffer from mental health disorders deal with. The mental health system is broken, and awareness is the way to make a change in the future. Please, hug your loved ones a little harder tonight.
-The Spaeth Family
The Journey of Casey Spaeth . . .
As most of you already know, we lost Casey on April 19. We wanted to share with you the journey of Casey that ended after a short 23 years.
During his high school years Casey was an honor roll student and known for being a kind, compassionate and happy person. In 2015 Casey received his Liberal Arts degree from DMACC and went on to study at ISU.
In 2016 Casey was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. We believe a combination of genetic predisposition and drug experimentation during his time at ISU is where his battle with mental health began.
Although Casey was not accepting of the diagnosis, legal trouble soon found him along with the disease. This lead to three separate court ordered stays at mental health facilities. That resulted in a court ordered medication schedule to control the Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. This caused Casey to accept the diagnosis.
Casey moved back into our family home and tried to live a normal life with the disease. He was doing volunteer work as well as holding down a job. After about 6 months Casey started feeling ill, having seizures and complaining that the medication made him feel lethargic and depressed. These are all common side effects of the medications given for the treatment of these disorders to help with combating the chemical imbalance in the brain.
Prior to April of this year, Casey was the best we had seen him in a long time. He was going out and doing things again. Working, socializing and volunteering. His huge heart and the caring Casey we all knew was making a comeback!
Then, April 19th our world came crashing down. Casey walked out in front of a truck, ending his journey here on this earth.
A note from Casey’s phone – January 2018
“For over the past year I have been court ordered to get a shot of “medicine.” What this shot does is block the brain from producing dopamine. As most people know, dopamine is what gives someone pleasure. So this drug essentially blocks you from enjoying life and living in the moment. I’ve been living with little to no pleasure. I don’t enjoy anything and can’t put my heart into anything I do. I feel as if my soul has been ripped in to pieces and it’s destroyed my will to live”
Our goal in sharing Casey’s story is to bring more awareness to issues that are in the mental health system, and the day to day things that those who suffer from mental health disorders deal with. The mental health system is broken, and awareness is the way to make a change in the future. Please, hug your loved ones a little harder tonight.
-The Spaeth Family
Organizer
Lexi Spaeth
Organizer
Spirit Lake, IA
Anonymous
Beneficiary