#samsgramstoday
Samuel Morrison Schlesinger was born on September 11 in 2004, making him just 19 years old at the time of his passing. Sam was an amazing person. Sam did everything. He was a musician, he was a photographer, a cinematographer, a writer, an engineer. But most importantly, he was a great friend, an amazing brother, and a loving son. I know that Sam had a genuine passion for all the things he accomplished in life, but I also know that it kept him busy, and distracted from his mind. Sam was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2021 after his first hospitalization. Sam worked so hard, and did so much in his lifetime. Sam influenced many people and inspired so many of us, and even though he may not be with us physically today, I know that he will continue to inspire and influence many people with his talents.
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Sam fought, and showed so much resilience, but at some point, he lost hope. He was lost and couldn’t trust his mind because it was distorting the facts. In an attempt to take his own life, Sam was hospitalized where he underwent several surgeries in hopes to bring him back. But unfortunately on January 13th 2024, sam had passed. That day happened to be my 18th birthday, a birthday I had never imagined getting the chance to celebrate, but because I had Sam in my life, and because Sam told me to be patient with my healing. I had made it.
Sam’s mom, Elizabeth Woody, and my Mom, Shelly Delice, have been best friends for well over 30 years. They decided to partner together to create pins promoting SamsGramsToday, an Instagram page that brings awareness to mental illness in hopes to destigmatize.
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Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, moving between emotional highs called mania or hypomania and lows known as depression. These changes can feel confusing and overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like no one truly understands what’s going on inside. But even in those moments of feeling misunderstood, it’s important to remember that’s okay—you’re allowed to take up space, feel what you feel, and keep moving forward at your own pace.
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Elizabeth Woody said for Word Bipolar Day, "Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. It's not just highs and lows--its feeling like a stranger in your own skin. It's fighting against thoughts that tell you youre too much or not enough. It's exhaustion, resilience, beauty and pain, all at once."
#samsgramstoday and stay today are things held so close to my heart. They’ve helped me through my own diagnosis with bipolar disorder and were created to keep honoring Sam in everything we do. These pins aren’t just accessories—they’re life savers. They’re reminders that you can open up to someone, that things will be okay, and that no matter how heavy it feels, you’re never alone.