In Loving Memory of Kyle Plunkett
Donation protected
If you’re on this gofundme, you either knew Kyle, his family, LC or her family, or you’re simply curious as to what this fundraiser is about.
I have copied & pasted his Fiancé’s, LC (Laura), status from her page, for everyone to read, as she spent almost everyday for the last 3 years with Kyle, is closest with him and said what everyone was thinking. If you feel so inclined, please consider making a small donation to help with cremation and memorial costs, and to alleviate any financial burdens/commitments that LC will now have to carry solo, because of his unexpected passing. Any unused funds will be put into a college fund for his little girls, Remy (1) and Stella (3). When memorial arrangements become available, I will update this page with all of the information.
“A year ago today, I was holding my newborn Remy, so in love with daddy’s twin. Since this little girl made her debut, she’s had daddy (and mommy, but especially daddy), wrapped around her finger like you wouldn’t believe. Obviously, nobody expected that exactly a year later, we’d be celebrating not only her first birthday, but mourning the loss of Kyle, her dad, as well.
My closest family and friends know that Kyle struggled with a vicious opioid addiction; the same opioid addiction that unfortunately has its grips on over 30% of the United States’ population. These drugs do not discriminate; it will steal your mother, brother, uncle and your neighbor. For years, I did everything I could do for Kyle. I stayed sober (never touched a drug a day in my life, but I stopped socially drinking) and suggested activities that didn’t involve drinking. At one point in time, I agreed to go out of my way at least 45 minutes every morning, to drive him to intensive outpatient rehabilitation services. He couldn’t seem to stay sober. No matter how hard he tried, he would end up relapsing every three months, or so.
Within the last two months, Kyle had recommitted himself to sobriety and taking back his life. He was a different person. He made the choice to leave his family in the middle of the summer - which meant missing birthdays, planned concerts and family vacations; little moments like Stella learning how to ride a bike, Remy learning how to sit up on her own - to go to a treatment center in Hollywood, Florida. While at this particular treatment center, he had (what he described to me as) a “breakthrough” therapy session that ultimately led to him having a real diagnoses. There was no more guessing; he could finally start healing and taking the right medications to level all of the chemical unbalances he was experiencing. With relief came confusion, as now there were more unanswered questions. My only guess is he was probably feeling very overwhelmed with the new information. There is no argument; the mental health help in this country is non-existent. Where does one go for help when the medical system has labeled you a “drug addict” or a “seeker”? Who will take you seriously?
Kyle was home for one week. One week was all I had with the love of my life, before he used again & I was robbed of my best friend and partner.
I am not posting this so that every nosey nancy can know what I’ve been up to for the past 2.5 years. I will not be embarrassed or ashamed at the fact that I lost my soulmate to this disgusting disease. This does not define Kyle Emerson Plunkett as a whole; but even he was inferior. He made human error and sometimes made bad choices. Kyle also walked into my life, insisted I go out with him, only to completely change mine & Stella’s world as we knew it. Nobody asked him to be Stella’s father. Nobody begged him to inherit that role. But he did - willingly - & because of him, my Stella Dean knows what a father’s love feels like. He gave baths, changed diapers, survived meltdowns with me; kissed boo-boo’s, checked for monsters in the closet & played Santa on Christmas. He played barbie, made countless trips to the pool, ran at the park for hours after a work day that started at 5 am, only to come home, go to bed, and do it all over again. He made that choice, while all of his other friends were out clubbing and woman-hopping, because he loved us with every fiber of his being.
Kyle taught me to slow down, stay organized and think things through. He was my number one cheerleader when it came to everything I did. I could do no wrong in his eyes. Sure, there were plenty of fights & periods of not talking to each other. He proved his undying love and dedication to us numerous times. There is not a person in this world who met Kyle and did not like him. He will be so greatly missed, it physically hurts me to think about living life without him.
Today, I want everyone who has read this far, to take a moment and reflect on the relationships in your life. I’m sure you know of (maybe directly or through a friend-of-a-friend) someone who is struggling with addiction. If you’ve never listened to anyone’s advice, listen to this; you will never be able to change them. In fact, the more you try, the more you may end up enabling them. Even with good intentions, it doesn’t work. However, you can provide that person with the tools they need for success. Be the friend that stays sober with them when nobody else will sacrifice their nights of bar hopping. Be the friend who goes with them to Narcotics Anonymous, because nobody else will. Educate yourself on their specific addiction; don’t just assume/believe myths - just because you have heard something or you binge watched “Intervention” last week for the fourth time, that you understand what it’s like for an addict in recovery. You need to understand that there will be mistakes made, relapses and do-overs. Countless times I told Kyle he was living on borrowed time. You only get a certain number of chances when you’re dancing with the devil.
Make an effort to educate the ignorant people of the world that pretend their addiction doesn’t hurt others around them. This is an epidemic. I don’t wish the emptiness, sadness or loneliness that I feel right now, on even my worst enemy. Please, if you or a loved one need help with addiction, seek help immediately. Don’t you know that time waits for no man?”
I have copied & pasted his Fiancé’s, LC (Laura), status from her page, for everyone to read, as she spent almost everyday for the last 3 years with Kyle, is closest with him and said what everyone was thinking. If you feel so inclined, please consider making a small donation to help with cremation and memorial costs, and to alleviate any financial burdens/commitments that LC will now have to carry solo, because of his unexpected passing. Any unused funds will be put into a college fund for his little girls, Remy (1) and Stella (3). When memorial arrangements become available, I will update this page with all of the information.
“A year ago today, I was holding my newborn Remy, so in love with daddy’s twin. Since this little girl made her debut, she’s had daddy (and mommy, but especially daddy), wrapped around her finger like you wouldn’t believe. Obviously, nobody expected that exactly a year later, we’d be celebrating not only her first birthday, but mourning the loss of Kyle, her dad, as well.
My closest family and friends know that Kyle struggled with a vicious opioid addiction; the same opioid addiction that unfortunately has its grips on over 30% of the United States’ population. These drugs do not discriminate; it will steal your mother, brother, uncle and your neighbor. For years, I did everything I could do for Kyle. I stayed sober (never touched a drug a day in my life, but I stopped socially drinking) and suggested activities that didn’t involve drinking. At one point in time, I agreed to go out of my way at least 45 minutes every morning, to drive him to intensive outpatient rehabilitation services. He couldn’t seem to stay sober. No matter how hard he tried, he would end up relapsing every three months, or so.
Within the last two months, Kyle had recommitted himself to sobriety and taking back his life. He was a different person. He made the choice to leave his family in the middle of the summer - which meant missing birthdays, planned concerts and family vacations; little moments like Stella learning how to ride a bike, Remy learning how to sit up on her own - to go to a treatment center in Hollywood, Florida. While at this particular treatment center, he had (what he described to me as) a “breakthrough” therapy session that ultimately led to him having a real diagnoses. There was no more guessing; he could finally start healing and taking the right medications to level all of the chemical unbalances he was experiencing. With relief came confusion, as now there were more unanswered questions. My only guess is he was probably feeling very overwhelmed with the new information. There is no argument; the mental health help in this country is non-existent. Where does one go for help when the medical system has labeled you a “drug addict” or a “seeker”? Who will take you seriously?
Kyle was home for one week. One week was all I had with the love of my life, before he used again & I was robbed of my best friend and partner.
I am not posting this so that every nosey nancy can know what I’ve been up to for the past 2.5 years. I will not be embarrassed or ashamed at the fact that I lost my soulmate to this disgusting disease. This does not define Kyle Emerson Plunkett as a whole; but even he was inferior. He made human error and sometimes made bad choices. Kyle also walked into my life, insisted I go out with him, only to completely change mine & Stella’s world as we knew it. Nobody asked him to be Stella’s father. Nobody begged him to inherit that role. But he did - willingly - & because of him, my Stella Dean knows what a father’s love feels like. He gave baths, changed diapers, survived meltdowns with me; kissed boo-boo’s, checked for monsters in the closet & played Santa on Christmas. He played barbie, made countless trips to the pool, ran at the park for hours after a work day that started at 5 am, only to come home, go to bed, and do it all over again. He made that choice, while all of his other friends were out clubbing and woman-hopping, because he loved us with every fiber of his being.
Kyle taught me to slow down, stay organized and think things through. He was my number one cheerleader when it came to everything I did. I could do no wrong in his eyes. Sure, there were plenty of fights & periods of not talking to each other. He proved his undying love and dedication to us numerous times. There is not a person in this world who met Kyle and did not like him. He will be so greatly missed, it physically hurts me to think about living life without him.
Today, I want everyone who has read this far, to take a moment and reflect on the relationships in your life. I’m sure you know of (maybe directly or through a friend-of-a-friend) someone who is struggling with addiction. If you’ve never listened to anyone’s advice, listen to this; you will never be able to change them. In fact, the more you try, the more you may end up enabling them. Even with good intentions, it doesn’t work. However, you can provide that person with the tools they need for success. Be the friend that stays sober with them when nobody else will sacrifice their nights of bar hopping. Be the friend who goes with them to Narcotics Anonymous, because nobody else will. Educate yourself on their specific addiction; don’t just assume/believe myths - just because you have heard something or you binge watched “Intervention” last week for the fourth time, that you understand what it’s like for an addict in recovery. You need to understand that there will be mistakes made, relapses and do-overs. Countless times I told Kyle he was living on borrowed time. You only get a certain number of chances when you’re dancing with the devil.
Make an effort to educate the ignorant people of the world that pretend their addiction doesn’t hurt others around them. This is an epidemic. I don’t wish the emptiness, sadness or loneliness that I feel right now, on even my worst enemy. Please, if you or a loved one need help with addiction, seek help immediately. Don’t you know that time waits for no man?”
Organiser and beneficiary
Kelsey Luck
Organiser
Centreville, VA
Laura Kesner
Beneficiary
