My cousin Aaron left his home very early on September 5th and has not been seen or heard from by our family since.
Aaron was diagnosed with schizophrenia approximately 15 years ago. He's 35 now.
He had been hospitalized a month before after being found unresponsive at his home where the doctors believed he had a seizure and may have been like that most of a day before he was found. His liver and kidneys had nearly shut down, but they got him going again, mostly, and after nearly a week in the hospital, he had gone home.
His Mom was supposed to take him back to the doctor on the 5th to have tests for his liver function again, to make sure everything was still getting better, however, his Mom could not make contact with him that morning, went to his home, where she found he and his car were gone, but his phone and his dog were still there. Of course, that was not the norm for him. He had really not wanted to go back to the hospital and may not have needed to stay, but it is now wondered if he left originally because he did not want to go.
That is only a guess.
This photo was taken from a sheriff's body cam in a city about 37 miles away that same day. The family didn't know this at the time. They were searching everywhere locally, his favorite hangouts, friends, anywhere anyone could think to look.
It wasn't till a couple of days later, after a Silver Alert was entered, that the sheriff's office there, contacted the sheriff's office here to let them known he had been seen there that day and that they had found his car since.
They said he had been walking down the road in a rural neighborhood and someone had reported him as a suspicious person. The sheriff had gone out to investigate it. He had provided his ID, told them he was just walking around and because there was no reason to do otherwise, they let him carry on.
They found his car on the side of the road later, out of gas, window down. It appears that when it ran out of gas, he just got out and started walking. He didn't indicate to the sheriff that he needed help or had any kind of issue.
Much later the family retrieved his car and brought it home. I live in a small house next to my Uncle, his Grandfather and I can see the car out my kitchen window daily, but I would be thinking of him and praying daily for his safe return or at least that wherever he is, that it would be revealed if a safe return cannot happen, even if I didn't have that constant reminder.
When Aaron was on his meds, he was balanced enough to live alone and take care of himself mostly. The meds though made him feel a bit dull and energyless, so he would sometimes not only tire of them, but decide he did not really have an issue and he would stop taking them. I understand this is fairly common with people who have schizophrenia.
When off his meds, he had lots of energy, was most of the time pretty happy, but his mind was scattered and he would whisp along in another world of his on. Unfortunately, that inner world didn't mesh well with the real world functions. The doctors had told his mom that every time that happened, even though going back on the meds would help, he may not come back to the same level as before, so over the years, it has been a constant quest to try to keep him on them.
He has always wanted what many want, to have a good life, get married and have children of his own..... which has never happened. What a struggle he has had, just trying to get by... .just wanting to be "normal".
It's been a heart wrenching time for the family, especially for his mom, dad and brother since he's been missing.... as you can only imagine.
Of course everyone is hoping for the best, but at the same time knowing the final outcome may not be a happy one. His health was already diminished physically and of course without his meds for so long, if he were still alive, he would probably not make much sense to anyone his path might cross.
Aaron has always been very nice to me and acted happy to see me whenever I saw him. Pretty much a gentle soul. Although I'm afraid he may no longer be alive, until the final bell, I always leave a window open for miracles.
You never know what a day will bring, so make sure to let your family and friends know you love them along the way.
It's Sunday and later I will go out to Mom's for a visit. It is 51 degrees right now and may get up to 59 today. Brrrr..... I know, not freezing or the such, but still.... I can't like it ! I don't like to have to wear jackets, shoes, heavier clothes and the such. It IS sunny out though and there's a very very clear blue sky. I think it will be a good day.....but it WILL get dark to soon as today is the first day going off daylight savings time here in NC. BOOoooOooooOoOOOoo,..... I can't like that either.
Am I so whiny or what ?? LOL.....
Hope you are all doing well and that your hearts are happy.
