Bike Ride for Suicide Prevention
Donation protected
Cross Country Ride for Suicide Prevention and Awareness
My name is Olutayo Ayodeji, and my 16 year old son Sule and I were in the middle of planning a cross country bike trip when he took his life.
Since I started my journey, it occurred to me that many of you do not know the purpose of my ride. Simply put, my ride is a memorial for my son, Sule. This cross-country ride began as way for Sule and I to bond one last time, before he entered into adulthood. When I asked Sule what he wanted to do with after high school, he said that he wanted to “travel the country, going from town to town, and meet new people.” I will meet those people for him, and I will tell them how intelligent, artistic, and insightful Sule was. This cross-country ride was intended for my buddy and I to see and explore the country together. So, as I ride, I will carry Sule with me. I will deposit some of his ashes in the rivers I cross. The rivers will carry him to parts of the world he will not consciously explore, and he will forever be part of the ecosystem.
Not only do I ride for Sule, I also ride for the countless other teens that lost their lives to suicide. I ride for the teens that are currently battling depression. I ride for the parents who, like myself, lost a child to suicide. I ride for the parents of children currently battling depression. I ride for the countless families and friends affected by suicide. I ride to spread awareness about depression and teen suicide.
Finally, I ride for me. I’m not riding for closure because there will be none. There will always be an opening in my heart where my son should be. If nothing else, I hope that this ride will provide me with the strength to carry on. As in life, I know my journey will be long and challenging. Along the way, I will face challenges and obstacles. I know there will be times when I want to give up but I will forge ahead because my Sule and others could not. I will ride.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support.
-Olu
My name is Olutayo Ayodeji, and my 16 year old son Sule and I were in the middle of planning a cross country bike trip when he took his life.
Since I started my journey, it occurred to me that many of you do not know the purpose of my ride. Simply put, my ride is a memorial for my son, Sule. This cross-country ride began as way for Sule and I to bond one last time, before he entered into adulthood. When I asked Sule what he wanted to do with after high school, he said that he wanted to “travel the country, going from town to town, and meet new people.” I will meet those people for him, and I will tell them how intelligent, artistic, and insightful Sule was. This cross-country ride was intended for my buddy and I to see and explore the country together. So, as I ride, I will carry Sule with me. I will deposit some of his ashes in the rivers I cross. The rivers will carry him to parts of the world he will not consciously explore, and he will forever be part of the ecosystem.
Not only do I ride for Sule, I also ride for the countless other teens that lost their lives to suicide. I ride for the teens that are currently battling depression. I ride for the parents who, like myself, lost a child to suicide. I ride for the parents of children currently battling depression. I ride for the countless families and friends affected by suicide. I ride to spread awareness about depression and teen suicide.
Finally, I ride for me. I’m not riding for closure because there will be none. There will always be an opening in my heart where my son should be. If nothing else, I hope that this ride will provide me with the strength to carry on. As in life, I know my journey will be long and challenging. Along the way, I will face challenges and obstacles. I know there will be times when I want to give up but I will forge ahead because my Sule and others could not. I will ride.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support.
-Olu
Organizer and beneficiary
Shani Watson
Organizer
Toledo, OH
Olutayo Ayodeji
Beneficiary