Isaiah's story
Isaiah was my firstborn, my one and only son. He was my first best friend, the love of my life, and my reason for always striving to be a better human. He loved skateboarding, playing basketball, graffiti art, and spending time with his friends. Isaiah was a social butterfly and everyone who met him loved him. When Isaiah was 15 years old, all of the things he once loved and his positive character began to slowly fade away. Addiction had its grip on him. In his struggles and our search for help we met with mental health professionals, school resource officers, administrators, law enforcement officers, and judges. There would be progress and then the heartbreaking decline. As he spiraled into addiction, his mental health also suffered. For three long years, finding help was my mission, but I hit one brick wall after another. Due to there being flat out no programs available for minors, my son couldn't get the treatment he needed and deserved.
Tragically on October 29, 2022, I received a call. The voice on the phone told me to hurry. My heart dropped. I feared this day would come, yet I held onto hope that it wouldn't. Walking in the room, I faced my worst fear. I lost him. Addiction had robbed him of his life, our life. At the age of 18, his breath was extinguished; my son's life was over. The night prior, he thought he was purchasing cocaine, but in fact it was a mix of fentanyl and xylazine, no trace of cocaine to be found. I held his body for as long as the paramedics and police would allow me. I made a decision that night that Isaiah's death would not be in vain. I vowed to fight for change because his life mattered, just as all of the lives of every child and victim we have lost due to drug overdose and fentanyl poisoning matter. Hope Above Fear was born from this encounter with loss, the loss of my son, Isaiah Shepard.
Community Education
"STOP SAYING 'NOT MY CHILD'" PRESENTATION
Our Stop Saying "Not My Child" presentation is specifically designed for adults. During this session, you will:
- Learn to recognize early signs of substance use.
- Gain critical insights to help break the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
- Discover effective ways to communicate with youth about substance use.
- Explore the most up-to-date local resources available for support.
This presentation equips attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to foster understanding, take proactive steps, and create a supportive environment for youth.
Empower: Real Life. Real Stories presentation
Our Empower: Real Life. Real Stories presentation is tailored for middle school through college-aged students. During this impactful session, attendees will:
- Hear real stories about local youth who have tragically lost their lives to fentanyl.
- Learn about the dangers of substance use in today’s ever-changing landscape.
- Discover eye-opening statistics at the national, state (Florida), and local levels.
- Understand the signs of an overdose and the importance of the Good Samaritan Law.
- Be inspired by encouraging strategies to help them take control and choose their story.
This presentation aims to educate and empower students to make informed, positive choices in their lives.