Isaiah's story
Isaiah was my firstborn, my only son, and my first best friend. He was the love of my life and my reason for striving to be a better person. Isaiah loved skateboarding, basketball, graffiti art, and spending time with his friends. A true social butterfly, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
At 15, the vibrant, positive spirit that defined Isaiah began to fade. Addiction tightened its grip on him, and his struggles led us down a path filled with countless attempts to find help. We met with mental health professionals, school resource officers, administrators, law enforcement, and judges. While there were moments of progress, they were always followed by heartbreaking setbacks. As his addiction worsened, so did his mental health. For three years, I fought tirelessly to get him the support he needed, but the system failed us. With no programs available for minors, Isaiah was denied the treatment he deserved.
On October 29, 2022, my worst fear became reality. I received a call telling me to hurry. My heart sank. Though I had feared this moment, I clung to hope it would never come. But it did. Walking into that room, I lost my son. Addiction had stolen his life at just 18 years old. The night before, he thought he was buying cocaine, but it was a lethal mix of fentanyl and xylazine—no cocaine at all.
Holding Isaiah’s body that night, I made a promise. His death would not be in vain. I vowed to fight for change, to honor his life and the lives of every child lost to overdose and fentanyl poisoning. From that promise, Hope Above Fear was born—a movement to create awareness, advocate for change, and ensure that no parent faces the same heartbreak I endured.