Today’s nominee’s story caught my breath when I first began reading it. Each of the stories we have featured this week have touched me in different ways and this one is no different. Please take the time to read Ashleigh’s story and send her some prayer and encouragement as she has been through something so unimaginable.
Ashleigh Nominee #4
Inspiring others after an unimaginable tragedy
Ashlei is an 18-year-old from Missouri. She has been through a devastating loss and has remained strong. Read her story below written by Cori Nations, the nominator, and check out this You Tube Video that shares more about her story.
There was a problem with one of the engines, and Fred was told by air traffic control to turn off that engine. These planes are designed to fly on one engine. But, there was a problem with the other engine as well and it could not sustain the plane. The plane went down. Ashlei lost her mother and step father, and all 5 of her siblings that night.
She didn’t know what had happened until the next day. She was working and noticed on her break that she had missed several calls and text messages. She didn’t think anything of it, until her best friend in Florida texted her, asking if she was OK. Ashlei called her friend and her friend was in tears, and said “Your family” and then Ashlei knew what had happened. The coroner was confused because there were on seven bodies and they thought that Ashlei was missing, because she was supposed to have been on the plane. Here is a link to one of the published stories: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/family-on-flight-from-st-louis-area-killed-in-alabama/article_c0b5a4e0-ab67-11e0-b1db-0019bb30f31a.html
Please describe how this nominee is inspiring you and loved ones : Ashlei is inspiring because she has gone through something that not very many people have, or will ever go through. To lose one family member to me has been devastating. And I had my children and husband to support me. Ashlei lost almost her entire family in one night. Yet, she has turned this story into one that can help everyone else. Her perspective is to show others that “you will be OK.” She lives and breathes this motto, as she takes it day by day. She is still heavily involved in her high school, and has started a website for teens in her high school to seek out help with grief anonymously. If she can continue to do this in the midst of her grief, I think we will all be OK.
What life lessons have you learned from this story? : That we need to keep moving. That life will keep on moving. Although it is hard to grieve, with help you can overcome with time.
Why do you want to nominate this story? : I feel that loosing someone is a tough subject. We hear a lot about cancer, and eating disorders. It seems as if no one wants to talk about grief; because no one knows the ‘right thing’ to say. I nominated Ashlei because I feel that she could really help people who are grieving and show them that life will be alright, and it is OK to move on and still remember. Ashlei could use help getting her perspective out to the masses!
If you would like to give to our cause and make a donation to Fotolanthropy that will go towards the creation of the Teen Fotostory film, the product given to the winner and travel experience, please click on this link. Fotolanthropy Teen Fotostory Donation Because of your donation we can give more!!