Out of the Darkness Brings light to Families

                ChaseEdwards, 12 of Brighton, is an active, charismatic and enthusiastic teenager. He is on the student council. He plays on a traveling soccer team. He is heavily interested in art. He sketches his heroes and idols. He freehand what’s on his mind, but he does none of that now.

                 Chase loved the Redwings. He would draw pictures of players. He had collectables and figurines. Chase and his dad went to Toronto to see the Stanley cup the year Toronto won it. What chase didn’t know was that when they were in Toronto his father had gotten tickets for that night’s game. Chase was wore his Redwings jersey to the game, and before the game he managed to get some of the players to sign it. Chase had an amazing time at the game, but couldn’t get more players to sign the jersey. The next morning they went to the hotel were the Redwings stayed. They were in luck when they got to the hotel the players were getting ready to board the bus to the airport back to Detroit. Chase and his dad managed to get autographs from every member of the team.

                Chase’s father, Jeff Edwards of Brighton, tells the story of Chase. He has to because Chase cannot. He has to because it helps Jeff to heal. He has to because Chase attempted suicide on Sunday February 23, 2003, and removed from life support on March 3. He tells his story to help others understand what the signs are, and he tells his story in hopes that he can prevent other parents from having to look back and wonder why they didn’t notice.

                Chase loved to draw. To his parents Chase’s drawings showed potential for a future in art. Chase drew sketches of his idols. He would draw anywhere he went.

                “He would always have a sketchpad with him. Even when he would go up north to the family cabin, he would draw,” Jeff said.

                The ones left behind tell the stories, the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends, at support groups, at events and at community walks. Walks like Out of the Darkness held at Kensington Metro Park in Milford on September 22. They tell the stories here to heal and for awareness.

                A normal boy, Noah Miller, 13, a seventh grader of Westland, loved to play baseball, and started running to try out for track. The year before his death his little league team won the league championship. Noah loved to hunt, and was able to get a short session in with his family the year before his death. His stepbrother Austin Clark and he would walk to the mall and play pranks on people, some resulting in them being asked by security to leave. Noah loved the Marines.

                “From the minute he could say the word Marine he wanted to be one,” Kelly Miller, Noah’s mother, said.

                Noah drew sketches of tanks, and warplanes, and he could name every piece of military equipment he saw. He went to recruiters for posters to hang in his bedroom, and thought about if he wanted to go to college to get a degree first and go in as an officer.

                Kelly Hale, 43 from Taylor, loved everything outdoors. She would visit Kensington Metro Park to bike or roller blade often, and she took her nieces there whenever she could. Hale loved her family and loved her nieces. She was the type of person that would stop her car in the road get out to help an elderly couple cross.

                “She was unforgettable, she would meet people and they would remember her for life,” Kari Hale, Kelly’s sister said.

                Kelly had a big heart and was willing to help anyone.

                “When a neighbor of Kelly’s was sick she took care of him for a long time, without a thought,” Kimberley Pellegrino, Kelly’s sister said

                What Chase, Noah, Kelly and Thousands of others have in common is that they were sick and needed help. Those who loved them tragically missed it, but they hope to stop others from missing it by spreading awareness. Out of the Darkness are community walks, held throughout the United States, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The events are held to raise funds for prevention, and as an additional effect provide community for the survivors.  

                Most all of the victims of suicide show signs of depression before they die.

                Noah started eating less, and sleeping more. He started dating someone and started giving personal belongs to her.

                “That’s one of the signs, they start giving away their personal belongings,” Kelly Miller said.

                Noah showed an increase in happiness, which is another sign that someone is about to die of suicide.

                Kelly Haul was sad, but what compounded the symptoms was that she was injured, because of the injuries Kelly couldn’t be as active and was on pain medication.

                “She was said because she couldn’t do the things she loved to do anymore,” Sandry Hale, Kelly’s mother said.

                  At the time, Jeff and Laura had no idea that something was wrong. In hindsight, the great gift of 20/20 vision, they now see the warning signs. Chase too was showing signs of depression. He cleaned his room immaculately before he died. He was happy, almost as if he was at peace with his decision. The Edwards now know the signs, and wish they had another chance to get Chase help.

                “My son was sick and undiagnosed and he died,” Jeff said.