In Honor of My Brother Anthony Raso

My name is Peter Raso and I want to tell you a story. Some of you might be able to relate to what I want to share with you and my hope is that my story helps you. In 2011, my mother was diagnosed with bone cancer. My brother Anthony, (who suffered from depression and Bipolar Disorder) myself and my father took the news of my mother’s diagnosis really hard. As time went on and my mother went through treatments and multiple surgeries, Anthony’s mental health took over his life! He had a very hard time dealing with his depression and managing the fear around my mother’s ups and downs with her health.  My brother Anthony was the most loving person. All he ever wanted to do was help other kids with their depression, anxiety and problems. Our dream now is to see my brother Anthony’s vision to help people manage and heal their anxiety and depression. He seemed to have all the answers for his friends and family but had such a hard time doing the same for himself. On 2/11/19, my family experienced the most horrific heart ache one can ever imagine. Anthony took his own life. He felt so depressed and alone that his only answer was to commit suicide. He couldn’t see another way to manage his pain and thoughts. My family and friends had to do the unthinkable and put my 16 year old brother to rest. As a family, all we can think about is how we can stay united and it is fulfilling my brother’s vision of helping others that is giving us inner strength to move forward.  Unfortunately, dealing with the loss of my brother and now having to manage funeral bills, medical bills and other expenses, leaves us with a burden preventing us from being able to focus our efforts on helping others and honoring Anthony’s memory. We need your support towards all these bills so we can get on with the important work of helping kids heal their depression and anxiety.  Any money we raise that is above the bills, we will fully donate to the ultimate goal of one day having an empowerment house with various programs that will help children and teens manage their anxiety and depression. The dream of our programs would include: a safe place for them to be themselves, animal care and group activities, among others; leaving them learning compassion and empathy - we will have programs for breath and movement learning to change our body and mind chemistry. We want to be in the school systems helping children, like my brother, manage their depression, stress and anxiety. Finally we want to involve the community to help sufferers help themselves. Can we count on your help in directly affecting those in need?  I want to share with you a poem I wrote for my brother:  Dear Anthony, my baby brother: It has been a week that you finally got it your way  you left us here, without a farewell  leaving behind just your smell.  Everyone tells me to respect your decision and understand that you fulfilled your mission  but they don't understand my pain   they don't know how it feels to be stuck under the rain.  I wish I could hold you and tell you that I love you   I wish I could understand  I wish I was there to hold your hand; maybe I could have changed your mind!  The night that you decided to leave and to no longer believe,   I know you weren't afraid anymore of who would be waiting for you at the door. I finally saw your last letter  I was hoping it would make me feel better instead I miss you more and your last words made me swore.    It made me wish you weren't gone  because I don't know for how long I can stay strong.   It's been a week I lost you brother,  it's been a week I lost my other.  I wish you had given me the chance  to take one last glance at your face filled with love  before you flew away like a dove. Rest in peace brother! I hope you will no longer suffer  I will be waiting for you in my dreams  to re-live all those beautiful memories. Until we meet again.  I will love you always,  Peter