The journey of Kyndal Ray Edwards is not a formula for a typical vacation, but the way he beams with happiness and enthusiasm delivers an instant mood boost, exuding a distinct vacation vibe. “My past does not define me,” explained Edwards. “I’m blessed for life today and there are so many people of all ages losing their lives daily to drug overdoses and suicides and to mental health and recovery issues. As somebody who is so blessed to be a survivor and someone who has changed his life, it has been a dream of mine to walk across America since 2013.” Edwards began his coast-to-coast walk across America in 2022 by putting his feet in the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Fifteen months later, his dream came to fruition when he stood in the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, Washington, to celebrate not only completing his Walk Across America for Mental Health Awareness and Recovery but also his four-year drug-free anniversary.
Currently, Edwards is on his way from the Florida Keys up the East Coast to Lubec, Maine, to complete his journey of connecting America’s eastern and western, and southern and northern coasts on his mission to shine a light on addiction and recovery. He stopped through IOP May 8-9.
Edwards continued, “If you see me coming through your town, or walking down the road, please feel free to honk, wave or if it’s safe, pull over for a high five, handshake or a hug. Awareness does come with attention, and I hope to bring as much attention as I can to mental health awareness and recovery in hopes that somebody may be inspired by my story, and willing to take the steps to change their lives for the better. I am walking to all four different corners of the United States, with two coast-to-coast trips involved – one already completed, to tell everybody that You Matter and We Do Recover!”
Edwards went on to explain his mission of bringing positivity to those around him, “There is a lot of darkness in the world, and I just want to be a positive light and make people smile while lifting as many people as I can up with love! I keep a shirt with 180 names of beautiful souls who have lost their lives to drug overdose and/ or suicide. Even though they are no longer with us, they are still being remembered and getting the journey of a lifetime. Whether on or off the shirt, no name is more important than any other name. They all deserve to be remembered respectfully. The 180 names I do have on the shirt represent taking a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction from the things that are taking the people we love and care about. I pray every day through ‘A Walking Testimony’ for the people who are struggling.”
For anyone in crisis or battling addiction or suicide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number is 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 if you need someone to reach out to for help.
Thank you for traversing through the Isle of Palms on your route, Kyndal Ray. Keep shining your brilliant light and best of luck on your journey of love, recovery and peace.
By Laura Fogarty
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