Support Veteran's Widow and Child
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I write this fundraiser on behalf of my best friend Paige and my godson Jayden. She is the widow of US Navy Petty Officer Russell Blake. Russell was an active-duty sailor who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. He left behind their 2-year-old son, Jayden, who is currently critically ill in the hospital. Paige and Jayden need your support now more than ever. I urge you to take a few minutes out of your day to read this story, it may not be what you are expecting. Any and all donations and shares help.
September 7th, 2019 started off like any other day. I spoke with my cross-country best friend Paige Radon over the phone. Although we are both Chicago natives, Paige was living near a Navy Base in Washington. Russell, her spouse, was stationed there. Paige expressed that she was worried she hadn’t heard from Russell and he seemed to be missing. A few hours later, we got our answer. Russell had been hit by a trailer home while riding his motorcycle. He passed away on the scene, instantly turning Paige’s world upside down.
There was no time to be shocked or panicked. Russell not only left behind his widow, but their 2-year-old son. I was on the next flight out to Washington.
The complications that followed were a mess. Grief and trauma related to sudden loss are already such a challenge to work through. On top of this, navigating Military Law is a mission, and no one seemed to know the answers.
Amongst the chaos, confusion, and pain, some things should have been crystal clear and straightforward. Russell left behind his 2 year old son, for whom he did everything. Jayden was his pride, joy, and happiness. As most parents do, Russell dedicated everything he had for him. He worried for Jayden’s health and medical conditions. He was always there for the many trips to the E.R, holding Jayden, making him laugh, and keeping Jay’s spirits up in a way that only a father’s love can.
Jayden’s grief was absolutely agonizing to watch. He cried for Daddy often, a pain no one could take away. What Russell left behind should have been for Jayden. Russell’s mother, the grandmother of this child, doesn’t seem to think so.
When our loved ones experience grief, pain, and hardship, our first thought is “how do I help? How can I make this better for you?” Watching them go through this experience without the ability to do anything more than hold their hand is a pain in itself. Russell’s mother had the ability to do something. For her son, for her only grandchild. She could have made this easier. She could have done the right thing. Instead, she has added unimaginable stress to the situation and has left Paige and Jay to fend for themselves, refusing to provide for Jayden what Russell has left behind.
Paige treated the situation with more patience and respect than any of us ever could have. She reasoned with her, pleaded with her. Paige told her Jayden needs his father’s money to help keep a roof over his head, to feed him, to educate him, to keep him safe. She told her she didn’t want to get lawyers involved. She tried every avenue to get Russel’s mother to support her only grandchild. After 1.5 years of begging and reasoning, Paige was finally forced to begin a legal battle.
We all grieve in our own ways. But it is a dishonor to Russell’s legacy to use grief and loss as an excuse for such behavior. During a time when every decision should have been made with Jayden’s wellbeing in mind, she chose to and actively continues to choose to do the complete opposite. Not only did Jayden lose his father, but he also lost the support of his grandparents. Overnight, Paige became a widowed single mother who was shut out. Shut out from the support of friends and family that Jayden needs and the financial support Paige needs to support Jayden, his wellbeing, and his livelihood.
I have watched.
I have watched Paige stay silent.
I have watched people trickle away.
I have watched support die down.
I have watched empty offers for help and support be offered and never acted on.
I have watched.
I have watched Paige work, struggle, grieve, stress all while being an absolutely incredible mother. I have watched her make ends meet. I have watched her be Jayden’s lifeline and protector. I watch as she constantly and consistently puts his health and happiness above her own. Despite everything, Jayden is happy and safe. She raises him with enough love to make up for those who have disappeared when Jay needed them most.
No amount of love can pay for the medical bills or legal fees. As I write this, Jayden is in the pediatric ICU. He is going to need several medical treatments and ongoing therapies for the foreseeable future. Paige will need to adjust their home to make it safe and livable for him with his condition.
The road up to here has been riddled with hardship after hardship and we have no idea what lies ahead. They are in immediate need of assistance. Many of you knew and loved Russell. His son and the mother of his child need help. Please, help me help my best friend. I hope you are able to contribute what you can to help lessen the financial burden of this impossibly heavy situation.
September 7th, 2019 started off like any other day. I spoke with my cross-country best friend Paige Radon over the phone. Although we are both Chicago natives, Paige was living near a Navy Base in Washington. Russell, her spouse, was stationed there. Paige expressed that she was worried she hadn’t heard from Russell and he seemed to be missing. A few hours later, we got our answer. Russell had been hit by a trailer home while riding his motorcycle. He passed away on the scene, instantly turning Paige’s world upside down.
There was no time to be shocked or panicked. Russell not only left behind his widow, but their 2-year-old son. I was on the next flight out to Washington.
The complications that followed were a mess. Grief and trauma related to sudden loss are already such a challenge to work through. On top of this, navigating Military Law is a mission, and no one seemed to know the answers.
Amongst the chaos, confusion, and pain, some things should have been crystal clear and straightforward. Russell left behind his 2 year old son, for whom he did everything. Jayden was his pride, joy, and happiness. As most parents do, Russell dedicated everything he had for him. He worried for Jayden’s health and medical conditions. He was always there for the many trips to the E.R, holding Jayden, making him laugh, and keeping Jay’s spirits up in a way that only a father’s love can.
Jayden’s grief was absolutely agonizing to watch. He cried for Daddy often, a pain no one could take away. What Russell left behind should have been for Jayden. Russell’s mother, the grandmother of this child, doesn’t seem to think so.
When our loved ones experience grief, pain, and hardship, our first thought is “how do I help? How can I make this better for you?” Watching them go through this experience without the ability to do anything more than hold their hand is a pain in itself. Russell’s mother had the ability to do something. For her son, for her only grandchild. She could have made this easier. She could have done the right thing. Instead, she has added unimaginable stress to the situation and has left Paige and Jay to fend for themselves, refusing to provide for Jayden what Russell has left behind.
Paige treated the situation with more patience and respect than any of us ever could have. She reasoned with her, pleaded with her. Paige told her Jayden needs his father’s money to help keep a roof over his head, to feed him, to educate him, to keep him safe. She told her she didn’t want to get lawyers involved. She tried every avenue to get Russel’s mother to support her only grandchild. After 1.5 years of begging and reasoning, Paige was finally forced to begin a legal battle.
We all grieve in our own ways. But it is a dishonor to Russell’s legacy to use grief and loss as an excuse for such behavior. During a time when every decision should have been made with Jayden’s wellbeing in mind, she chose to and actively continues to choose to do the complete opposite. Not only did Jayden lose his father, but he also lost the support of his grandparents. Overnight, Paige became a widowed single mother who was shut out. Shut out from the support of friends and family that Jayden needs and the financial support Paige needs to support Jayden, his wellbeing, and his livelihood.
I have watched.
I have watched Paige stay silent.
I have watched people trickle away.
I have watched support die down.
I have watched empty offers for help and support be offered and never acted on.
I have watched.
I have watched Paige work, struggle, grieve, stress all while being an absolutely incredible mother. I have watched her make ends meet. I have watched her be Jayden’s lifeline and protector. I watch as she constantly and consistently puts his health and happiness above her own. Despite everything, Jayden is happy and safe. She raises him with enough love to make up for those who have disappeared when Jay needed them most.
No amount of love can pay for the medical bills or legal fees. As I write this, Jayden is in the pediatric ICU. He is going to need several medical treatments and ongoing therapies for the foreseeable future. Paige will need to adjust their home to make it safe and livable for him with his condition.
The road up to here has been riddled with hardship after hardship and we have no idea what lies ahead. They are in immediate need of assistance. Many of you knew and loved Russell. His son and the mother of his child need help. Please, help me help my best friend. I hope you are able to contribute what you can to help lessen the financial burden of this impossibly heavy situation.
Organizer and beneficiary
Haya Muhammad
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Paige Radon
Beneficiary