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DENVER (CBS4) – Madelyn Linsenmeir's obituary begins as many, she simply says that she died on October 7th. But what follows is a painfully honest description of the young mother's struggle against opioids and a call from her family for compassion and understanding of others dealing with the same addiction problem. .
Linsenmeir was only 30 years old and left behind her young son, Ayden, born in 2014.
"While her death was unexpected, Madelyn was addicted and we feared for years that her addiction is claiming her life. We are grateful that at her death she was safe and that she was with her family, "she wrote.
Her family describes her as a "born artist" who loved singing and dancing – and an athlete who loved skiing, snowboarding and swimming. But they say his life has changed after trying OxyContin at a high school party.
"… And so began a relationship with opiates that would dominate the rest of his life," they wrote.
The obituary continues:
"It is impossible to capture a person in an obituary, especially a person whose adult life was largely defined by drug addiction. For some, Maddie was just a drug addict – when they saw his addiction, they stopped seeing her. And what a loss for them. Because Maddie was hilarious, warm, fearless and resilient. She could and wanted to talk to anyone, and when you were in her company, you wanted to stay. In a system that seems to have hardened against drug addicts and is failing every day, she befriends and appeals to cops, social workers, public advocates and doctors, who advocate and believe her up to the end. She was adored as a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend and mother, and to be loved by Madelyn was an amazing gift.
"Maddie loved her family and the world. But more than anyone, she loved her son, Ayden, born in 2014. She turned her life into a mother. Every afternoon, no matter what the weather, she put him in a backpack and took him on a walk. She sang rather than talking to her, filling her life with the song. Like his mother, Ayden loves to swim; together, they spent hours in the lake or pool. And she so loved snuggling against him, surrounding her with his love. "
"After getting Ayden, Maddie tried harder and tirelessly to stay sober than we've ever seen anyone try to do anything. But she recidivated and eventually lost custody of her son, an unbearable loss.
"In the last two years in particular, her illness has brought her to places of incredible darkness, and this darkening of herself, every unnameable thing that was happening to her and every horrible thing that happened to her. She was committing in the name of her illness exponentially increased her pain and impact. shame. She stayed home for 12 days this summer, and spent most of her sober time. During those wonderful 12 days, filled with swimming, Disney movies and family dinners, we always thought that she would conquer her illness and make life for herself, we knew it well. We believed it until the moment she took her last breath. But her dependence pursued her and stole her once more. Although we would have paid the smallest ransom for her, no matter the price in the world, this disease would not let her go until she was gone.
"If you're addicted yourself, know that every breath is a new beginning. Know that hundreds of thousands of families who have lost someone because of this disease are praying and rooting for you. Know that we believe with all our heart that you can and will do it. It's never too late.
"If you read this with discernment, find out about this disease because it is what it is. This is not a choice or a weakness. And there is a good chance that someone you know is struggling with this issue and that person needs your empathy and support.
"If you work in one of the many institutions through which addicts often spend – rehabilitations, hospitals, jails, courts – and treat them with the compassion and respect that they deserve, thank you. If instead you see a junkie, a thief or a liar in front of you rather than a human being in need of help, consider a new job.
"We are comforted to know that Maddie is surrounded by light, free from the struggle that haunted her. We would have given everything so that she could experience this freedom in this life. Our pain in losing it is infinite. And now, she too.
Her sister Kate O'Neill shared photos of Madelyn in a happier time with a powerful message.
"… This is what the opioid epidemic looks like. He has freckles and a dimple on his right cheek. He is 30 years old and has a voice that sings so beautiful that people stop on the street to listen. He has a son, two sisters, a mother and a father. Her name is Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir. This is what the opioid epidemic looks like, "she wrote.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, October 21 in Burlington, Virginia.
Her family asks that instead of flowers, people consider donating to the Turning Point Center, "a place where Maddie spent time and felt supported."
You can read his complete obituary here.
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