ESTILL COUNTY, KY (LEX 18) — The first “Story Unfinished” event, created by Christina Smith, took place in Estill County on Saturday. The event provided a safe place for people to connect and talk about difficult topics like suicide.
Last year, Smith lost her son, Gage Cutler, when he committed suicide. She was devastated and lost until she found a way to honor her son’s memory.
“He had said he wanted to help people and who he had helped,” Smith said. “So I made it my mission to use his story to help as many people as possible.”
Smith wanted to spread the word about her son’s unfinished story. The goal was to help others, but it helped her, too.
“I feel like I have a purpose in this,” Smith said, feeling overwhelmed as she thought of her son. “Knowing that my son’s story will save lives helps ease some of my pain.”
Several mental health and drug rehab facilities were present to raise awareness of support someone may need, such as New Vista, NAMI and Grief Share, which Smith used to cope with the pain of losing her son.
Ken Cube, a director of Grief Share, said people have found hope and they are working toward that hope.
Advice that Odell Hage himself has followed, as he himself has experienced the pain of losing a loved one to suicide and battling drug addiction for 17 years.
“When I was actively addicted, it often felt like suicide was an option for me,” Hager said. “Because some people lose hope and feel like there is no way out, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Hager now works for the New Day Recover Center. He tells his story to others. He knows how important it is to surround yourself with good family and friends.
“They showed me the love I needed. That I didn’t have myself. I don’t know where I’ll be now,” Hager said.
Hager’s story is just one of many that came to light in “Unfinished Story.” That was one of Christina Smith’s goals. She wants people to start talking about suicide, to talk about their feelings and not be afraid to get help. “Get it out of the darkness and put it on the dinner table. Because if you talk about it, maybe you won’t have to go through what I’m going through right now.”
Even through the difficult times Smith has been through, she will keep her son’s memory alive by telling his unfinished story.
If you or someone else needs help, call 988, it is a free 24/7 hotline or visit New Vista: Mental Health & Substance Use Services
