"I don't just say it cause he's my boy but he was special," Perla reflects, "I've never met anyone as thoughtful as him."
Elijah passed away from a substance overdose. He was a remarkable person who liked playing basketball, could speak Mandarin, and always had a snack waiting for Perla, his mom, when she got home from work. "I don't just say it cause he's my boy but he was special," Perla reflects, "I've never met anyone as thoughtful as him."
Even as she is still grieving, Perla is sharing Elijah's story to help other families. She wants parents to know that it's important to speak up and that there are resources out there that can help. "We have to be those role models. We have to ask for help," Perla says. "We have to model those behaviors." Opening up about her journey not only helps her come to terms with her own experience but also allows her to honor Elijah's memory.
If you're looking to support a family member with substance use disorder (SUD), check out: samhsa.gov/families.