The I’m Glad You Stayed Project (IGYSP) was created in the childhood bedroom of our President, Abbey Schley, on April 16, 2021, at just 17 years old. This was 5 weeks after losing her friend, Dylan, to suicide, unexpectedly. When Dylan messaged Abbey in the early morning hours of March 9, he stated that he didn’t want to be alive anymore. Abbey had no idea what to do to help him. She ran to her mom, Dottie (Secretary and founding member) to tell her the situation. Together, they called the non-emergency number, instead of 911. (They are both answered by the same people, but 911 calls get priority!) When on the phone with the 911 operator, Abbey realized she did not have enough of Dylan’s personal information, such as his phone number, (the two communicated through Snapchat) his address, or his parents names and phone numbers. All she had was his first and last name and his birthday. They were fortunate enough to get Dylan’s address from a mutual friend, but having that before hand would have saved a lot of time. When the emergency personnel got to Dylan’s house they found him and took him to the hospital, where he was in the ICU for 4 days before officially passing away on March 13, giving the gift of life by donating his organs.
Abbey knew immediately that this should not be a universal experience; kids shouldn’t see other kids in a casket, they should not have to attend their peer’s funeral!
She learned a lot after Dylan’s death; always have your friend and family members house address, phone number, birthday, and full name, as well as their parents’ phone number and full name. All of this is important when you’re talking to a 911 operator trying to get your loved one help. She also learned that any time someone threatens suicide, even if you think they are being dramatic, you should always call 911 directly, not a non-emergency number.
“Learn from my mistakes, this information could save a life,” says Abbey.
Dylan loved the water and was on his school’s swim team, as well as a club swim team, and was a certified scuba diver. His family started using “Just Keep Swimming” as a motto after his passing.