In the fall of 2007 I received a phone call from my youngest daughter Wendi. Wendi told me that she had suffered a relapse with a long existing Eating Disorder & had admitted herself into a program. She asked if I would want to come to a family Group Counseling one night with her. Although I live 250 miles away I readily agreed.
Several years before Wendi had been diagnosed with Bulimia & I had attended family Counseling with her at that time as well. When I was first told of Wendi having an Eating Disorder I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could. Very quickly I learned that many who are diagnosed with an Eating Disorder also suffer from Depression, Anxiety, & a host of other Mental Health issues. At the very first meeting I told Wendi that this was not just her problem, but it was our problem, & that I would be there for her. We were going to fight this together.
For several days after I talked to Wendi on the phone, & leading up to my visit with her at the Eating Disorder Clinic, I kept having the most horrific premonition that a father could ever have. The thought kept coming to me that someday I was going to receive a phone call that this disease had somehow taken her life. Needless to say there were a lot of tears that were shed on that 250 mile drive.
During the group session that night each person had a chance to speak. I told Wendi how much I loved her, reminded her that it was not just her problem but it was ours as well & that I would always be there for her. I then told her about my premonition, which was very difficult to do. The counselor asked Wendi, how this made her feel knowing that her Dad felt the way that he did. Wendi stated, "I know my Dad cares for me & will always be there for me. It hurts me to see him hurt, but I'm not going to do anything to myself." Wendi's words that night were comforting but I still could not get rid of that premonition.
On April 29, 2010, at 8:35 pm, as I was preparing for work I received a phone call from my Son-in-Law, Bob, who is married to my oldest daughter Amanda. Bob stated, "Chuck, I have some bad news. I am following an ambulance that has Wendi in it to the hospital." Bob continued by stating, "Wendi had texted her best friend to call 911, because she did not want her Mom to come home & find her."
Wendi's friend had immediately called 911. When Paramedics arrived they found Wendi hanging. Wendi was in full cardiac arrest. By the time that the ambulance arrived at the hospital they did have a pulse restored. Tested showed that her heart was functioning at 14%, & an EEG showed minimal brain activity & that was from the stem. Wendi was placed on life support. Drs. told us that if there was any hope that it would occur within the first 48 - 72 hours, after that the chances of survival would be minimal. After 3 weeks Wendi's condition remained basically the same.
Wendi was in a coma/vegetative state for 3 1/2 months & passed away on August 17, 2010. Wendi was 27 years old when she died. My premonition, was now a reality!
I knew from the beginning that I had a choice. I could withdraw myself from the outside world & drown myself in my own sorrow, or I could find a way to honor Wendi & make something positive out of this nightmare. I have chosen the latter.
I first heard about the Overnight Walk when I attended the Annual SOS Day Webcast in Paducah, Ky, hosted by Zackshope. I knew that day that this was something that I had to do to honor Wendi. I know that as we walk that night that Wendi will be looking down on her team, "Warrior's for Wendi", & know that we are still fighting the cause for her & others, & we know that she will be with us in spirit.
Chuck Roper
Warrior's for Wendi
Several years before Wendi had been diagnosed with Bulimia & I had attended family Counseling with her at that time as well. When I was first told of Wendi having an Eating Disorder I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could. Very quickly I learned that many who are diagnosed with an Eating Disorder also suffer from Depression, Anxiety, & a host of other Mental Health issues. At the very first meeting I told Wendi that this was not just her problem, but it was our problem, & that I would be there for her. We were going to fight this together.
For several days after I talked to Wendi on the phone, & leading up to my visit with her at the Eating Disorder Clinic, I kept having the most horrific premonition that a father could ever have. The thought kept coming to me that someday I was going to receive a phone call that this disease had somehow taken her life. Needless to say there were a lot of tears that were shed on that 250 mile drive.
During the group session that night each person had a chance to speak. I told Wendi how much I loved her, reminded her that it was not just her problem but it was ours as well & that I would always be there for her. I then told her about my premonition, which was very difficult to do. The counselor asked Wendi, how this made her feel knowing that her Dad felt the way that he did. Wendi stated, "I know my Dad cares for me & will always be there for me. It hurts me to see him hurt, but I'm not going to do anything to myself." Wendi's words that night were comforting but I still could not get rid of that premonition.
On April 29, 2010, at 8:35 pm, as I was preparing for work I received a phone call from my Son-in-Law, Bob, who is married to my oldest daughter Amanda. Bob stated, "Chuck, I have some bad news. I am following an ambulance that has Wendi in it to the hospital." Bob continued by stating, "Wendi had texted her best friend to call 911, because she did not want her Mom to come home & find her."
Wendi's friend had immediately called 911. When Paramedics arrived they found Wendi hanging. Wendi was in full cardiac arrest. By the time that the ambulance arrived at the hospital they did have a pulse restored. Tested showed that her heart was functioning at 14%, & an EEG showed minimal brain activity & that was from the stem. Wendi was placed on life support. Drs. told us that if there was any hope that it would occur within the first 48 - 72 hours, after that the chances of survival would be minimal. After 3 weeks Wendi's condition remained basically the same.
Wendi was in a coma/vegetative state for 3 1/2 months & passed away on August 17, 2010. Wendi was 27 years old when she died. My premonition, was now a reality!
I knew from the beginning that I had a choice. I could withdraw myself from the outside world & drown myself in my own sorrow, or I could find a way to honor Wendi & make something positive out of this nightmare. I have chosen the latter.
I first heard about the Overnight Walk when I attended the Annual SOS Day Webcast in Paducah, Ky, hosted by Zackshope. I knew that day that this was something that I had to do to honor Wendi. I know that as we walk that night that Wendi will be looking down on her team, "Warrior's for Wendi", & know that we are still fighting the cause for her & others, & we know that she will be with us in spirit.
Chuck Roper
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