The Road Show Blondes

1.) This idea was borne from losing a friend to suicide. Can you tell us more? 

Aimee and I both lost good friends to suicide. I lost a college hall-mate, Kate, in 2000 and it was devastating. Here is the story I wrote on my situation: (click here). Kate was someone you never really thought would go this far.  None of us ever really knew she was in trouble until it was too late and that's usually how the sad story goes. 

2.) It's really brave to face your grief head on - not only that, but to transform it into something that could help others. Tell us more about how that decision came to be. 

We were really looking for a cause that could create a huge impact. No one is really out there talking about suicide and depression and we thought, "Why the heck not?" It's important and touches so many different lives. We knew it needed to be done.

3.) You've got the difficult task of promoting a glum topic while infusing your goal with humor. How do you plan to balance that? 

Aimee and I both have very lighthearted personalities and we didn't want to turn people off with such morbid and depressing talk. If you've seen our videos (online) we are quite funny and entertaining without even trying to be (not knowing brown cows existed, forgetting to bring a map on a 2000 mile journey, etc.). Some people pay attention to the serious and intimate conversations and others really relate with the humor aspect. We want to reach as many people as we can. The trip so far has proven to be very difficult to talk about depression and suicide prevention. We knew it would provide challenges, but we are working through them and keeping the goal in front of us the entire time. 

4.) How do you feel when you see a heartbreaking, high-profile death such as DJ AM's (Adam Goldstein's)? It serves as a reminder that depression can really hit anyone. Do you plan to point out such examples as a part of your program? 

This is a touchy topic for me personally. I feel people pay SO MUCH attention when it's the death of a celebrity (whether it's suicide related, anorexia, domestic violence, etc.). It kind of breaks my heart that some of the "average" people suffering these same tragedies don't get the attention - because, unfortunately, they happen much more often. I hope in instances like DJ AM, that his friends and family are really speaking out and leveraging the media around it. I was proud of Rhianna (and probably more so her PR camp) and how she took such a serious and PERSONAL issue and is using that to reach out. Take a tragedy and make something positive out of it - that's what Aimee and I are trying to do with the deaths of Kate and Toby. Nothing can bring them back and it breaks our hearts everyday - but maybe their stories, or DJ AM, (or Anderson Cooper sharing about his brother, or other celebs) can help others that we aren't able to reach or connect with. 

5.) Pure speculation, but what would you say to someone like Lindsay Lohan? It's pretty clear that she's currently on a very destructive path. Do you believe in intervention?  

I'm not sure I'm equipped to answer that question. I think no matter the path of destruction, that person has to be ready for an intervention; they have to be open to it. I think she's seen firsthand how her actions and destructive behavior can take a toll on the Hollywood "hotties" (obviously using this term loosely when Lohan is involved, but...) and that hasn't seemed to slow her down. 

6.) Why the end goal of road-trippin' to NYC? What's the culmination of landing in New York? Do you have something special planned there?  

The reason we decided to end in NYC is quite funny and explains a lot about how quickly this trip came together and how easy going Aimee and I have been. We couldn't think of a "cool" and worthwhile way to end this trip. The Jed Foundation has their headquarters in NYC, [so it seemed like a natural place to wrap up our goal.] We were hoping to have something big planned there but, as with all non-profits, the resources and staff are very limited. They just didn't have the time for a big shebang at the end. Plus, Aimee's never been to NYC so it's a nice excuse to relax for a day or two after this trip. 

7.) Anything else you'd like to add?

Big thanks to Safety Vision our title sponsor and vehicle loaner. Their overwhelming support (in many ways) has been a blessing to us. I hope that more companies realize the impact they have had on this mission and help out when they can.

[Editor's note: Due to the restructuring of PLP, combined with a lengthy road trip of my own, this interview ran later than intended. At the time of the initial contact with the Blondes, they were hoping to raise $1k more for their goal. You can still contribute at The Jed Foundation link above. Thanks to Jaymee and Aimee for their time!]

[Photo Credit: Sunshine Winters]