A bright shining light in a dark world, extinguished far too soone, sensitive
Joe was a light in the world’s darkness. His unique sense of humor, resonant laugh, and contagious smile made him a joy to be around. Besides his charm, he was also a champion of the underdog, somebody who made others feel included and always held space for those who were struggling. He had a sixth sense for finding those who were hurting and helping them in the way they needed. Joe left a lasting impression on those who were lucky enough to know him in this life.
Joe’s close friend since childhood, Arianna, recounts a time that Joe really showed up for her, a time she feels speaks about how Joe took care of those he loved. “When I was a teen struggling with depression and family matters, Joe broke out of the juvenile detention center he was in to come and stay with me. Mom left my siblings and me alone in a squalid apartment, where we stayed until we got evicted. Joe never left our side. He helped us pack, stood up to our aggressive slumlord, and even entertained us with a song and dance when we were out on the streets. He stayed with us for weeks until we found somewhere to live, then turned himself back in.”
Joe had many talents. He loved dancing, drawing, writing poetry, playing piano, and engaging in rap battles with his older brother, Thaddy. Joe also enjoyed going on hikes, playing video games, and being with his friends and family. A talented comedian, he relished making his loved ones laugh. Some of Joe’s fondest memories were of the family vacations he went on, countless baseball games, and playing badminton with his grandma.
Becoming a parent was always one of Joe’s biggest goals. When he had his son, Amari, he was in the throes of addiction. Joe knew that using hard drugs was against his own morals and would impede his ability to parent his son. He fought hard to get sober and to be a good father, but his addiction proved too powerful. He lost the mother of his son to an overdose less than a year after his birth and lost custody of Amari within the first two years of his life.
Arianna says that Joe still reminds her he’s with her, especially on her hard days, sending her signs trying to cheer her up from the great beyond. She says she now understands that SUD is truly a disease, and that people who suffer from this disease are not at fault for how it affects their lives. Many who suffer from SUD have a genetic predisposition, an environmental vulnerability, or both. Destigmatizing addiction is the first step to ending overdose.
Arianna says that though she misses Joe every day, especially his laughter, dazzling smile, and killer dance moves with backflips and all, she knows that he saved many others’ lives. In fact, six people are alive today from Joe’s organ donation. She says that Joe showed her that love knows no bounds, it can look different from what people expect, and that’s okay. He taught her to keep her heart open to others on different paths of life and to be unapologetically herself and never let the world dim her shine.
Joe’s close friend, Arianna Hotchkiss-Perez, provided the information for this narrative.
July 9, 1999–December 14, 2022-Age 23
Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Victoria Estes
