His legacy will help save lives.
David was always a private person when it came to his struggles so I’m not sure how he feels about me sharing his story but, as his mom, I feel it is important to understand how much my son struggled and the reasons why he felt he needed to end his pain. It is my hope that my son’s story will help someone get through their darkness and hopefully save a life!
David was born in Woodbridge, VA on July 2, 1998, and immediately became the light of my life. When I held him in my arms for the first time, I promised to always love him, support him and protect him. David was such a happy baby with the most adorable laugh and smile and he brought so much joy to my life. He loved his swing, our car rides and his precious animals. I never thought that I could love someone so much but there I was, with my son and a heart full of love that it felt like it could explode.
David’s life changed dramatically at the age of 7 and it was at this time that I began to see psychological changes in him that just didn’t seem right…THIS is when my fight began! David was evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, was put on a medication regimen and began therapy. It was during therapy that I learned David witnessed the emotional and mental abuse during my marriage to his biological father, which I tried so hard to hide from him. During those times when David wasn’t in the right headspace, which sadly was often, he and I would go for long drives, which was something he had enjoyed since he was a baby. We would talk about whatever was on his mind and we shared many laughs. It was during one of these drives, when David was 9, that I learned of the emotional and physical abuse that he was subjected to during his visitations with his father. He told me he kept his pain from me during those 2 years as a way to protect me. Wait what!? You were protecting me!? It was at this time; he became estranged from his father. The struggles David had been experiencing, now it all made sense! He was evaluated again at 13 years old and at that time diagnosed with severe major depressive disorder with psychotic features, PTSD with dissociative symptoms, ADHD and bi-polar disorder. Simply put my son was depressed and delusional so his reality was not always the true reality; he would dissociate himself from life as a way to cope with his PTSD which he described as being outside of his own body and watching his life as if it were a movie and not being able to control what he was doing or how he was feeling; and he was suicidal and homicidal. SUICIDAL and HOMICIDAL!? This is not something any parent would ever want to hear about their child, and it was way too much to comprehend. Then came the questions: How was this possible? What happened to my sweet baby boy? What did I do wrong? How can I fix this? How do I protect him and others? I not only felt the need to protect my son but also those he came in contact with.
For 10 years I watched my son struggle in every aspect of his life, despite my dedication to his well-being. I struggled daily to understand what he was going through and fought hard to figure out how to best help him. For many, waking up every morning is effortless but for David, it was a struggle. It was a struggle because he knew he would have to spend the day fighting all the demons and voices in his head, in addition to dealing with all the daily struggles of just being a teenager. He spent many days alone because it was just easier for him. He wouldn't get panic attacks and he wouldn't get bullied because he was “different”. I admired him so much for his strength, courage and determination.
Sadly, on October 23, 2015, my son and only child, David, died by suicide in his bedroom ending his pain. David was an amazingly great kid!! He had an infectious smile that would light up the room and he brought joy to anyone he came in contact with. David was a very caring, special young man who loved to make others laugh despite his own pain. He loved to laugh, enjoyed listening to all genres of music, loved his video games, enjoyed working out, and drew some of the most amazing pictures but sadly, deep down he was in severe pain and in never-ending darkness. David was struggling more than anyone knew because he always smiled, and he always tried to make others laugh. I strongly believe he did this so no one so no one would struggle as he was.
I only hope that sharing David’s story will speak to someone who is struggling to get the help they need.
Kimberly Fleming
Founder & David’s Mom
David was born in Woodbridge, VA on July 2, 1998, and immediately became the light of my life. When I held him in my arms for the first time, I promised to always love him, support him and protect him. David was such a happy baby with the most adorable laugh and smile and he brought so much joy to my life. He loved his swing, our car rides and his precious animals. I never thought that I could love someone so much but there I was, with my son and a heart full of love that it felt like it could explode.
David’s life changed dramatically at the age of 7 and it was at this time that I began to see psychological changes in him that just didn’t seem right…THIS is when my fight began! David was evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, was put on a medication regimen and began therapy. It was during therapy that I learned David witnessed the emotional and mental abuse during my marriage to his biological father, which I tried so hard to hide from him. During those times when David wasn’t in the right headspace, which sadly was often, he and I would go for long drives, which was something he had enjoyed since he was a baby. We would talk about whatever was on his mind and we shared many laughs. It was during one of these drives, when David was 9, that I learned of the emotional and physical abuse that he was subjected to during his visitations with his father. He told me he kept his pain from me during those 2 years as a way to protect me. Wait what!? You were protecting me!? It was at this time; he became estranged from his father. The struggles David had been experiencing, now it all made sense! He was evaluated again at 13 years old and at that time diagnosed with severe major depressive disorder with psychotic features, PTSD with dissociative symptoms, ADHD and bi-polar disorder. Simply put my son was depressed and delusional so his reality was not always the true reality; he would dissociate himself from life as a way to cope with his PTSD which he described as being outside of his own body and watching his life as if it were a movie and not being able to control what he was doing or how he was feeling; and he was suicidal and homicidal. SUICIDAL and HOMICIDAL!? This is not something any parent would ever want to hear about their child, and it was way too much to comprehend. Then came the questions: How was this possible? What happened to my sweet baby boy? What did I do wrong? How can I fix this? How do I protect him and others? I not only felt the need to protect my son but also those he came in contact with.
For 10 years I watched my son struggle in every aspect of his life, despite my dedication to his well-being. I struggled daily to understand what he was going through and fought hard to figure out how to best help him. For many, waking up every morning is effortless but for David, it was a struggle. It was a struggle because he knew he would have to spend the day fighting all the demons and voices in his head, in addition to dealing with all the daily struggles of just being a teenager. He spent many days alone because it was just easier for him. He wouldn't get panic attacks and he wouldn't get bullied because he was “different”. I admired him so much for his strength, courage and determination.
Sadly, on October 23, 2015, my son and only child, David, died by suicide in his bedroom ending his pain. David was an amazingly great kid!! He had an infectious smile that would light up the room and he brought joy to anyone he came in contact with. David was a very caring, special young man who loved to make others laugh despite his own pain. He loved to laugh, enjoyed listening to all genres of music, loved his video games, enjoyed working out, and drew some of the most amazing pictures but sadly, deep down he was in severe pain and in never-ending darkness. David was struggling more than anyone knew because he always smiled, and he always tried to make others laugh. I strongly believe he did this so no one so no one would struggle as he was.
I only hope that sharing David’s story will speak to someone who is struggling to get the help they need.
Kimberly Fleming
Founder & David’s Mom
