Shining light on
mental illness in mountain towns.
Love Like Ky Foundation
Honoring Kyler
- Be a Golden Retriever - Ky had a heart just like our two Golden Retrievers, including the often over-zealous greeting. His love was wholly unconditional. If we can emulate this, separating the conditions of our behavior from the depth of our love, we can foster a more compassionate world. Start today, by telling someone you love them.
- You Are Not Alone - As a society, we must eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness, recognizing that it's not a sign of weakness but a facet of the human experience. While significant strides have been made in recent years, there's still a considerable journey ahead of us. Our objective should be to view mental illness with the same gravity as physical illness, advocating for equal prioritization and funding. For every perfect “bluebird powder day” in the mountains, there has to be a preceding storm that brings the snow - and that is the balance of life. Mountain town folks do have bad days, and that is okay.
- Embrace Professional Support - Ky struggled with Bipolar Disorder for more than a decade. During his lows of depression, he battled just to get out of bed, and during the highs of his manic episodes, he got lost in perceived invincibility. Like many, he tried the standard medications, but struggled to find the right harmony. In his last years, he decided to self-medicate and got a medical marijuana card. While this may have helped in the short term, it's vital to understand that self-medication is not a sustainable path. We encourage individuals and families facing mental health challenges to explore professional care options rooted in scientific understanding. There's no shame in seeking help; in fact, it's a courageous step towards reclaiming stability and wellbeing.
- End Bullying Now - Ky’s life changed in high school and college when he was frequently bullied by classmates. His unique, outgoing personality was often misunderstood, and he struggled to comprehend the cruelty of others. We believe that this collective trauma contributed to the onset of his struggles with mental illness. Bullying is never acceptable, and we are determined to help put an end to it online and in our schools. It's imperative that we collectively acknowledge that bullying is not okay and take proactive steps to prevent it.
- Commit to Check-ins - During the dark days following Ky’s tragic death, we were blessed with an outpouring of support from countless friends and family members. Alongside our strong faith, these connections were our lifeline and helped with our heartache. Consistently, those who reached out mentioned what a big heart Kyler had and his dedication to staying connected with his loved ones through regular "check-ins". He understood intuitively that genuine connection requires more than just a text or email – it demands a personal touch, whether through a phone call or face-to-face interaction. Inspired by Ky's example, our family made a collective commitment to prioritize reaching out and expressing love to those who matter most to us. We should never be too busy to connect with the people we love.
