A moving obituary for a young woman who lost her battle to drug addiction has gone viral, inspiring others to share their own stories of addiction.
In an emotional piece for the Madelyn Linsenmeir's family paid tribute to the who died on October 7, after a long struggle with opiod addiction.
Madeyln was 16 when she moved with her parents from Vermont to Florida and tried OxyContin for the first time at a high school party, sparking a life-long addiction that would claim her life.
"To some, Maddie was just a junkie - when they saw her addiction, they stopped seeing her. And what a loss for them. Because Maddie was hilarious, and warm, and fearless, and resilient. She could and would talk to anyone, and when you were in her company you wanted to stay," the family wrote in the obituary.
"If you are reading this with judgment, educate yourself about this disease, because that is what it is. It is not a choice or a weakness. And chances are very good that someone you know is struggling with it, and that person needs and deserves your empathy and support."
The family said the most "unbearable" blow came after Madelyn relapsed and lost custody of her son Ayden, who was born in 2014, leading her into a “darkness” that led to “pain and shame.”
“Maddie loved her family and the world. But more than anyone else, she loved her son, Ayden...Every afternoon in all kinds of weather, she would put him in a backpack and take him for a walk … she so loved to snuggle him up, surrounding him with her love.
“If you yourself are struggling from addiction, know that every breath is a fresh start. Know that we believe with all our hearts that you can and will make it. It is never too late.”
The obituary prompted hundreds comments and tweets of support for the family, stories from addiction sufferers and their families.
"This obituary is heart wrenching. I lost a cousin to addiction in 2014 and it is a disease, and these paragraphs speak with a weight that gets me right in the gut," one user tweeted.
"People struggle 2 understand addiction & blame the person. They don't want 2 believe it's a disease but coming from personal experience I can relate 2 her. Most people don't want 2 remember me 4 me & just see an addict but I fight hard everyday 2 remind them i'm a good person," another user tweeted.
"I lost my nephew to an overdose of cocaine and opioids a few months ago. Reading this wrecked me. Much love and prayers to Madelyn’s family," tweeter user April Zimmerman wrote.
"My deepest sympathies to the Linsenmeir family. I've been sober for six years and currently live in a recovery house in PA with 8 other men. About 20 minutes ago, I read Maddie's obituary to our entire group. You could have heard a pin drop. There was silence for about a minute after I finished. It was so powerful. At the end of the group, we said a prayer for her and your entire family. Rest In Peace, dear Maddie," posted Rick Crouthamel on the site.
Another commentator Tee Mitch, expressed heartfelt condolences for the family's loss.
"It sounds like Maddie was truly a shining light in this often dark, cold world. Unfortunately being an addict myself I know the deep wounds of addiction. I'm glad to hear your family stuck by her during all the ups and downs," he wrote.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction contact the on 1300 368 186.
