The Bennett-Jeremiah Recovery Fund

“Life waits for no one so we must enjoy the time we are given to the fullest”

The love that we have for Shayde Naluokealoha Bennett-Jeremiah is unconditional. He had a pure heart and undying strength.  But something that maybe not everyone knew about Shayde was that he suffered from mental illness.  Unfortunately, mental illness is not a battle that one person can face alone, no matter how tough the individual.

 

Within the flurry of events that took place on October 5th, Shayde suffered from a manic attack that left four of our family members in the hospital with injuries that needed emergency medical care.  Fortunately, three of our family members' physical wounds will heal in time but the emotional damage will forever leave a scar in our hearts.

 

“As we wrestled the knife out of Nalu’s hand and repeatedly called out his name, we could see that he was not in there. Even he himself cried out in disbelief ‘Is this real?’. We could all see that this was a body controlled by another person who could never be the Nalu that we loved.”

-Knyte Bennett-Jeremiah, brother of Shayde.

 

The Shayde we knew and loved was incapable of those actions. This enemy…mental illness had overtaken him.  Amidst the struggle, Shayde’s heart weakened and on October 11th, just past midnight, filled with hugs and kisses, Shayde peacefully took his last breath in the embrace of his mother and father.

We now ask for your help and support to allow the family time for healing.  Life was normal 2 weeks ago but now, it has come to a stand still.  However, the financial burdens are continuing to pile up. 

Our campaign goal is $50,000. This will be used in the following ways:
－ Funeral arrangements and services for Shayde Naluokealoha Bennett-Jeremiah (estimated at $10,000)
－ Hospital bills for the Bennett-Jeremiah ohana (estimated at $15,000)
－ Ongoing medical bills sustained from the accident (estimated at $15,000)
－ Covering additional bills and living expenses to allow the family time to cope and recover from the situation (estimated at $10,000)

 

 

 

 
Shayde was a beloved son, brother, and role model to many. His contagious laughter will live on forever and the lessons that he shared will continue to bring greatness to the community that he had been an essential part of since he was just a child. Shayde always saw the best in others and strived to bring that out of them, sadly, he struggled to see how amazing he was himself.  And even though Shayde did not have the power to keep fighting, we all will continue the fight for him. Our goal is to raise awareness to those who are suffering with mental illness.  Any additional funds will go towards organizations or events that will help spread awareness for this disease.
 

We are a strong family and can say how proud we are of the things that Shayde has accomplished. He was the best skateboarding, artist, engineer that the Hawaiian islands have ever seen, but we know that the nightmare of events is reality.  We can't describe in words how much we appreciate the support and love that everyone has shown us in these trying times.  Mahalo nui loa to all who have contributed so far.  You will forever hold a place in our hearts.

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you”

― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo (Shayde’s favorite movie)

 

Love you always Nalu,

 

From Mom, Dad, Lemalu, and Honi