2014 Philadelphia Out Of the Darkness Walk

As many of you many know back in April I signed up for the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Community Walk and formed Team Manny. Before I talk about the actual walk I'm going to talk about my motivation for joining the walk and creating Team Manny.

This is my big brother Juan Manuel Rodriguez. He was my mother's first born and 5 years older than me. My brother was 31 years old when he passed away. We fought like only siblings could fight but we loved each other like only siblings can love each other. Manny, as I called him, was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia Disorder. He battled with these disorders for a really long time. He tried to seek out help and saw doctors for his issues. He was prescribed a bunch of different medications. But the thing about these medications is that when he took them all he did was sleep all day. He told us a few times he "felt like a zombie." He did not like feeling this way so he decided to stop taking his medications. On March 1, 2012 he lost his battle with these disorders and took his own life to end his suffering and what he perceived was the suffering of others. 

He and every person who has lost their lives to mental health issues are my reason for doing the Out of the Darkness Walk and for creating Team Manny. Too many people have these stigmas and stereotypes regarding mental health and suicide and it's time for us as friends, family, and community members come together and shine a light on those suffering with mental health issues so that they know they aren't alone. It's time to stop blaming people for something they cannot control. It's time we learn to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down! 

Left to Right: Miguel, Jose, Jorge, Makaylah, Matilde, Adam, Emneris, Rafael

This is Team Manny, this is my family. I am so grateful for the love and support my team members showed me through this whole event. Many of my team members were unable to attend the event due to other circumstances but were supporting us from a distance.

On Sunday, October 5, 2014 Team Manny joined over 5,000 others at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum to help spread awareness and keep suicide Out of the Darkness. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life!

This was our first year participating in this event and we raised $375 dollars as a team which was 63% of our goal. Next year we will participate again and hope to raise even more money to help raise awareness and keep suicide Out of the Darkness!

I would like to spend a big thank you to everyone for all the donations, prayers, kind words, and support you all provided through out this entire journey. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!