Devon Deuchars Memorial Fund

Dear Devon,

 

My heart bleeds to know you’re no longer with us.  I know you fought so hard for so long against an addiction that you almost beat.  Your whole life you stood up for the little guys and did everything in your power to care for those around you.  I know it tore you apart not knowing why people were so cruel to the people around them, and why we couldn’t all just band together and help each other out.  You didn’t pick up the needle because you were a bad person; you picked it up because you felt like a rat in a barren cage in a world so dark and grey.  I know you knew we did our best and I promise we won’t let your voice go silent.

 
In your short 24 years you touched so many lives, often times at just the right time when a person needed your love the most.  I heard a story about how you gave a newly homeless stranger your own blanket because they needed it, then sat down and talked to comfort her all night.  I’ve always admired your ability to find just the right words and give just the right hug despite your body and brain fighting a vicious battle against you constantly.  There aren't too many teenage guys I knew that would have taken their little cousin out for hot chocolate because he was going through a hard time with his Dad.  No matter how bad things were your gentle heart always found a way to shine through your tough look.  Your compassion and dedication to creating a more humane and kind world helped shape the person I am today. 

 
You didn’t deserve the abuse you got from the public eye.  If they had looked past your dreads and patchy clothes they too could have enjoyed what we were all so blessed to have in our lives.  With the way people talk about addicts, I’m sure your deep knowledge and wisdom on so many things surprised a lot of people and would have continued to open the eyes of the people around us to the person behind the addiction.  You did your best in the time you had to make sure nobody had to suffer alone like you did.  You even took your little brother who’s 13 years younger than you under your wing.  That kid lit up around you like nobody else.  All the adventures, all the things you taught him, and all the love you gave him will stick with him forever.  Don’t worry; we’re going to pick up where you left off with your dog. 


Your Mum’s going to need some help with the costs coming up, and I really hope we can get some donations to Addictions & Mental Health Services.  I also know your little brother Sam was the most important person in your life and we’ll do our best to organize one of the many trips you two planned together.  Post-Secondary was important to you too, the day you died you called your Sister to tell her about how you were applying to schools.  I hope we’ll be able to get Sam an account set up for when he goes to school, you know best that that kid is going places. 

 


We love you Devon, be free from the cage that was put on you by our system.  Say hi to the others at the round table up there and keep your piercing eyes open to watch over us.

 

May the road rise up to meet you, and the wind always be at your back.

 

 

****His Cousin wrote this for Devon Deuchars.  We are trying to raise money to help with funeral costs, to donate to AMHS – KFLA in thanks for all their help over the years, and take his 11-year-old brother on a fun outing or trip.  Devon lost his battle with an addiction that could have been beaten with some improvements to our health care system and our society’s mindset.  He was a passionate advocate for the people in his life and a gentle healer to those in need. 

 
Financial donations are accepted through the gofundme account or by contacting somebody in the close family.

If every person who reads this donated even $1 it could make a huge impact, and furthermore if every person reading this went out and took the time to do a random act of kindness then we may collectively spare another family from our shared pain.

E-transfers can be sent to [email redacted] and if you choose will be posted as an update to this page****