Ashlyn’s story details the tragic loss of her older brother, Kirk, who at the age of 26, passed away as a result of an opioid overdose. In this heart-wrenching narrative, Ashlyn reflects upon the call she received from her father who shared the news of her brother’s passing and describes the lasting effects Kirk’s passing has had on their family and close friends. Beyond describing the devastating nature of Kirk’s passing, Ashlyn reflects on Kirk’s influence as a friend, a son, a brother, a student, and above all, his influence as a human. She speaks to his strength and courage, and his desire to be in recovery. Although Kirk’s untimely passing occurred before he could achieve recovery, Ashlyn continues to keep Kirk’s legacy alive through advocacy and by leading with compassion and love in order to reduce stigma surrounding substance use.
Are you interested in using this digital story in training materials or programming? Click here for discussion questions to accompany Ashlyn’s story.