Jackson's Journey Sanctuary

My name is Laura Fowler and I am the founder of Jackson’s Journey, a not for profit movement, that was created after the suicide of my son, Jackson Fowler, on June 3, 2015. I wrote an honest obituary, and told of my son's struggle with depression, for I felt people needed to know the truth of his death, and what He was going through; it went viral and hit the news and travelled all over the world. It opened the door for people who have lost loved ones to suicide and people who suffer from depression. People began sharing their stories and feeling hopeful that  they were no longer  alone and do not have to hide how they feel anymore and who they are. Therefore, I decided to keep the door open and create Jackson’s Journey. I wanted to bring hope and awareness about depression,  to those who struggle with it, and to those who do not understand it., for  too have suffered with depression my whole life. I want to end the Stigma and Judgement's the world puts on people. To share the love not the hate.
             Jackson, being only 20 years old when he died, was loving, caring, artistic, creative, and mature beyond his years. He saw the world for what it truly was and saw the good and the bad in people; but he never judged others. He was honest and strong about his convictions and thoughts.
            For many years of his short life  Jackson struggled with mental health issues; most dominant was his severe depression; with the love of his family, he tried all available avenues for support and various out reach programs; but with the lack of proper resources "the system" was fleeting at best and sadly he fell through the cracks. Jackson struggled daily to make his happier days last, but on this fateful day he lost the fight to keep his deep darkness at bay and wanted the pain of his struggle to stop. Seeing no other solace from his pain, he had sadly chose to end his own life on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015. He did not do this out of selfishness or of a need to hurt anyone; he loved us all and knew that he was loved. We were what was keeping him together;yet it wasn't enough and he needed more, but there was not enough help available here to do that. He is now at peace, no longer hurting anymore, and with that in mind his name will live on and his story will be told, and is still being told along with many others.
            In the online world of Roblox He was known as NerfModder, a great leader who cared about his comrades not the power of being a leader. He was a great inspiration, a true genius! He was respected and irreplaceable. His motto “Those who fight as one don't stand alone." His story and games have become legendary and have had 6 Million people, from all over the world, visit them.
                He knew he could not spend all his time on the computer so he found peace and connection when he was in nature. We spent much time camping, fishing, hiking, spending time in the woods exploring and walking along the many beaches Nova Scotia has to offer. He felt like he was one with nature and respected it, he felt free from all the pressures society puts on him when he was connected to nature. I promised him one day we would buy land and start an off the grid campground , with just tents and small trailers no electronics, and that he would be able to make trails and take people on nature hikes so they can reconnect with nature too. He was very excited about this idea; for it was difficult for him to get a job with a grade 9 education,( due to bullying and lack of support from the education system,) and all the labels of illness society put on him. (Anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, memory damage, ADHD etc…) He was labelled as disabled therefore the things he wanted to do in life were out of reach, such as joining the military or being a forest ranger, so this campground was perfect for him.
            His death is not an ending, but the beginning of a loving legacy. Depression is not something to "shove under the carpet" it needs to be recognized and dealt with accordingly and with compassion. So many people, of all ages, suffer from depression and do not know where to turn for help without the stigma of judgment. In Jackson's memory, it is time for that to change! Moreover, that change has been happening and will continue through Jackson’s Journey and the Media. I have a big 8 foot sign on the front of my house,
the bottom says" Jackson's Journey, share the love not the hate", I have T-shirts, bumper stickers and a utility trailer decorated with the same big sign and messages of hope, that I use in parades and just driving around for the awareness and so people feel comfortable approaching me to share how they feel and ask questions to start the conversation. There is a “NerfModder’s Legacy” on Roblox where people can read about Jackson’s story and find his games, My Facebook page has many resources and groups for people to connect with, as well as the Jackson’s Journey Facebook page, which helps give people hope and confidence to reach out and talk to someone. I want to do more, therefore, I now want to keep my promise to my son and make the campground (Sanctuary)a reality.
            I have always given and never asked much of anybody, I always did things on my own, I was “too proud” to ask, that is how I was raised. But now I am putting all that aside and asking for your help to make this world a better place. I want to create a place where people can be themselves and reconnect through nature, Find their true selves, and the love they were born with, put aside the stresses and demands the world puts on us. This is 2019 we should be living in a peaceful uncomplicated Loving society not one of greed and selfishness. Help find the peace within.
            I am looking to raise enough funds to buy land and open the off the grid campground (Sanctuary) I promised my son. The cost of camping will be affordable because it will be by donation (cash, free will offering, labour, materials, volunteering to help make trails,    lean-tos, tepees, yurts, a community garden, outhouses, roads, natural outdoor showers etc...) A big gathering spot with an open Fire pit will be centrally located so people can gather and tell stories sing songs and reconnect with one another.  Eventually there will be workshops such as : spiritual healing, reiki, drum making, natural soap and candle making and much more that will be available. 
            I am not doing this to make money, quite the opposite; I am doing this to show that there is still empathy and compassion in the world and that when money is donated to a worthy cause it should be just that. Too many times I have seen thousands even millions of dollars be raised for a GOOD CAUSE and most of the money ends up in administrative or someone else’s pocket.  I am not looking to get rich , I’ve been there and lost everything, and I’m glad I did .
             I have given up my business to devote all my energy to this project and Jackson’s Journey. I want to spend my remaining years helping people find themselves, heal, and be the person they were born to be. We don’t need huge expensive houses, cars, and toys to be happy. We need each other we need love, empathy, compassion and understanding. We are connected to this planet and everything it offers. I hope this sanctuary will help us get back to that connection and inspire hope that we can live peacefully. Just imagine hiking along this beautiful river and lake and camping right on it's bank, listening to the peacefullness of nature around you and breathing the fresh air, This is what the land  am looking to build on looks like.
            The land prospects, I have found, range from $15,000.00 - $200,000,00(25+acres). I know this seems like alot of money, but  they all have rivers and lakes and streams on them, and because they are located all over Nova Scotia mainly the Bay of Fundy to the South Shore and all in between, it can be expensive.  How much is raised depends on which land is to become “Jackson’s Journey Sanctuary”. I still have faith in humanity, which is why I am asking for help for this journey.Please help make this dream come true. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.I just need the money to buy the land everything else (taxes etc...)will be taken care of by me .
            If every person who has read mine or Jackson’s story donated $2 .(price of a coffee)there would be more than enough money to make this dream a reality so please donate today so that we can begin the healing process and become whole again. You can follow Jackson’s Journey on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JacksonsJourney.B.A.D/
and
https://www.facebook.com/laura.fowler.3133.


Proceeds will go towards Jackson Fowler Foundation, to support Jackson’s Journey Sanctuary.
On behalf of all those who have lost the battle of Depression and those who survived, and want to heal, I Thank You

Sincerely ;
Laura Fowler