In Loving Memory of Austin Reid
Donation protected
On Tuesday evening April 2, 2019, my cousin Austin Reid took his own life. He was a truly amazing individual with such great potential. He was intelligent and animated, and seemed so full of life when in the company of others. He was deeply loved by our whole family. However, Austin was struggling with mental health issues and these issues took over him. They took my cousin at the young age of 23.
Austin had a late start in life due to his struggles but was finally beginning to turn everything around. He began working and enrolled in school. We were all so excited for this new beginning for him. Austin wanted so badly to help others feeling the same way as him. He began taking courses in psychology in hopes of one day earning a master’s degree where he could counsel and support others using his own experience. Unfortunately, his mental illness had a tight hold on him, and he was unable to finish his first semester. He signed up for courses again, starting May 2019, as his determination persisted; but so did his mental illness.
My Aunt is a very loving mother and gave Austin all the support and help imaginable. She is also a single mother, now only left with her 25-year-old autistic son. She is financially unable to support a funeral or take the time off work that she needs after this traumatic event. My heart hurts knowing that she must continue regular life after witnessing her own son lifeless. She is in immense pain, and I want nothing more than for her to take off as much time as she needs to grieve and be able to move forward.
Today I am asking for help raising money for my Aunt for costs related to a funeral or memorial service, missing pay for time off, and other items to help with the grieving process. Any small donation helps. Thank you so much for your kindness and support in helping my family.
Austin had a late start in life due to his struggles but was finally beginning to turn everything around. He began working and enrolled in school. We were all so excited for this new beginning for him. Austin wanted so badly to help others feeling the same way as him. He began taking courses in psychology in hopes of one day earning a master’s degree where he could counsel and support others using his own experience. Unfortunately, his mental illness had a tight hold on him, and he was unable to finish his first semester. He signed up for courses again, starting May 2019, as his determination persisted; but so did his mental illness.
My Aunt is a very loving mother and gave Austin all the support and help imaginable. She is also a single mother, now only left with her 25-year-old autistic son. She is financially unable to support a funeral or take the time off work that she needs after this traumatic event. My heart hurts knowing that she must continue regular life after witnessing her own son lifeless. She is in immense pain, and I want nothing more than for her to take off as much time as she needs to grieve and be able to move forward.
Today I am asking for help raising money for my Aunt for costs related to a funeral or memorial service, missing pay for time off, and other items to help with the grieving process. Any small donation helps. Thank you so much for your kindness and support in helping my family.
Organizer
Caitlin Rolston
Organizer
Surrey, BC
