On September 3rd of 2022, we lost my sister Krys after a prolonged and terrible battle with mental health. Her loss left her friends and family all over the world feeling helpless and angry, and with the stark realization that sometimes all the love in the world is just not enough to save the ones we love for whom mental health is a battle that is fought every day. She was a beautiful soul who touched everyone she came in contact with because she loved deeply and fiercely, and without prejudice. The world to her was an endless adventure, and she wanted to see all of it, and she wanted to meet everyone. And while she covered more ground in her 40 years than most would do in multiple lifetimes, her journey is over. But that doesn’t mean that the bright light she shone has gone out. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. There are people in all corners of the globe who love her deeply still, and her achievements as a tattoo artist are carried on bodies the world over, and will be for some time. It is a thought that has brought our family much joy in even the darkest of times.

We all know people with mental health issues. We’ve all witnessed loved ones battle these demons, and we’ve all felt powerless when even the deepest love we can muster is not enough to rescue them. But that is no reason to stop trying, to stop loving those who need it, because those in need can be helped, and it’s in their darkest times that the light our love can shine is a beacon to them. Even when things seem their darkest, there is still hope. There is always hope when people are willing to love as deeply as Krys loved. Because she loved everyone. She was the kindest soul one could ever hope to meet, and it is in her honour that I am undertaking this fundraiser.

Back in 2021, I set a goal for myself to swim around the island of Bermuda, where I live. It is a place Krys loved deeply, and it’s not hard to see why. She was an adventurous spirit, and she especially loved the ocean. She visited twice, and as an avid diver was lucky enough to scuba dive in her time here. It was an experience she treasured greatly.

I was about halfway through my journey when she passed. She had obviously been on my mind on my swims before that, but much moreso since she’s been gone. There are parallels to be drawn between the challenge of this swim and those of mental health. Sometimes the task seems insurmountable. Sometimes all you see is darkness. Sometimes the challenges are overwhelming and you have to retreat. Sometimes your goal is in sight, but still seems impossible to attain. There have been injuries and health issues as setbacks to overcome, but still you keep your head up and persevere. And the entire time, you have to rely on friends to help you along.

As I near the end of my goal, I could think of no more fitting tribute to my sister than to complete the last legs of this journey in her honour. To be honest, I’m sure she would be conflicted about such attention being called to her, but I know she would LOVE her name being used to raise funds for worthy causes, as helping those who are struggling was near and dear to her heart. That’s just who Krys was.

All funds raised will be used to support 3 different mental health charities- one here in Bermuda, and 2 others in Melbourne, Australia and St John’s, Newfoundland, the 2 places she most identified as ‘home’, and where she fought her battles. Funds raised will be split equally between those 3 places.

I have completed 16 legs of the swim thus far, with 3 left to reach my goal. I will post updates as I finish each remaining leg (which is hugely weather dependent), and I will donate 50 dollars for each swim I complete, starting 2 swims ago when I rounded the northeast corner of the island. Once I had done that, my end goal finally came into view for the first time since I started my journey almost 3 years ago. I wish she was still here to cheer me on for those final legs, but she is with me in spirit every time I swim, and her light will still shine to help those in need who are still struggling. Because her light shone too brightly to ever be fully extinguished. We all love you so much, Krys, and we always will.