9/ After exhausting all options on the east coast, my dad decided to move my mom and sister out to CA with the hopes of better treatment, starting a new business, and to be closer to me. At that same time, I was given the opportunity to work at @BuzzFeedNews in New York.
-
Show this thread
-
10/ Within a month of me moving back to NYC, my family moved to California. The timing of things was actually comical. But the move to CA did not solve any of his problems.
3 replies 160 retweets 2,696 likesShow this thread -
11/ Mental health facilities in CA were better, but options for long-term treatment & care were virtually non-existent for my sister's condition. And the main financial backer for his new company decided to pull out, leaving him with no investor and no money.
4 replies 173 retweets 2,753 likesShow this thread -
12/ At 70 years old, he was out of a job in a job market and country that provided him with no options. The money that was coming in from Medicare covered next to nothing. He could no longer afford treatment for his neuropathy nor visits to his shrink.
9 replies 199 retweets 2,988 likesShow this thread -
13/ It was at this time, my dad called me asking for help. He started missing payments & soon couldn't afford to pay rent. He kept my mom in the dark & pleaded I not tell her how serious the situation was - all to maintain some level of normalcy for her. Married nearly 50 years.pic.twitter.com/nJOlA9rJkz
12 replies 181 retweets 3,486 likesShow this thread -
14/ Meanwhile, I started received packages from Amazon. One contained a notebook that had "Best Son Ever" on the cover. Another with the world's most inspiring speeches on a USB drive and a note saying how proud he was of me and that I should learn from & use these speeches.
9 replies 173 retweets 3,128 likesShow this thread -
15/ I finally made it out to visit. He sat me down & began having a conversation w/ me about not knowing what to do. He couldn't get a job, his now untreated condition was leaving him in constant pain, & he now couldn't afford the roof over his head. I had no answers for him.
7 replies 179 retweets 2,986 likesShow this thread -
16/ We laid next to each other on the couch that night and watched a few episodes of Ken Burns' "The Roosevelts". He said goodnight to me and I could hear him stand outside the bedroom door for a few extra beats before walking back to his room.
7 replies 172 retweets 3,059 likesShow this thread -
17/ My dad shot himself in the heart that next afternoon. I still don't know where or how he got the gun. His last words to paramedics were, "I failed my family."
87 replies 308 retweets 3,606 likesShow this thread -
Replying to @andrewkimmel
Man. I didn’t know this. But I do know the pain. My mom shot and killed herself. If you would like to talk, I’m here for you
2 replies 1 retweet 14 likes
Thank you Khary. I listened to you tell your mom's story at the #NoRA event in Dallas a month before this all happened. I couldn't imagine dealing with losing a parent that way. And here we are. I appreciate you reaching out. Much love 
-
-
Replying to @andrewkimmel
Yes it is extremely difficult. There’s no “right way” or “easy way” to deal with it. It will be a constant struggle and I’m here to lend an ear anytime you need it. You are not alone my friend
0 replies 0 retweets 3 likesThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.
andrew.kimmel@gmail.com