Joel excelled at writing. He wrote his first book when he was in the second grade and later won an award for an essay about his grandfather. He also loved to write song lyrics and developed an ability to rap when he was in high school. With his lyrics and music, he developed a following for his band, The Even Keel. Joel struggled with drugs for many years and passed away from an accidental overdose in November 2017 when he was 36. Pattie entered a time of deep depression after she lost her son and knew it was not the same as losing a child to an accident or illness. She offers grief counseling through her website for those who have experienced a loss due to addiction.

Website: https://theresilientjourney.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresilientjourney

Twitter: @TheResilientJo1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGrief

Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org/treatment-and-recovery/

Joel's music: https://www.reverbnation.com/theevenkeel/songs

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at grievingoverdosedeath@gmail.com

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida