09/28/2022
Today's story is from Billie Sutton, from Burke, SD.
Billie is a former professional rodeo cowboy, state senator, and 2018 candidate for governor of South Dakota. He's a husband, father, financial professional, and rancher who has endured trauma and loss, and has shown great perseverance.
On October 4, 2007, Billie was competing at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot, North Dakota. He had drawn a horse named Ruby. He got in the chute, just like any other ride. But before he could nod his head to open the chute, Ruby flipped over on him, slamming his back against the chute gate. Ruby stood up. And he knew he had broken his back. He was instantly paralyzed from the waist down. Not only would he never ride again, but he would also likely not walk again.
Thinking a spinal cord injury would be his toughest loss, Billie was ready for anything life would throw at him. But the compounding loss of the gubernatorial race in 2018 and his baby daughter in 2020 have since taught him about resilience in unimaginable ways. Billie fights through his grief and trauma every day.
Billie finds hope and strength primarily in family. They've been his biggest sense of community and support throughout each of these difficult times. Rising Hope Counseling, LLC, in Burke, SD, also helped him navigate and manage his emotions.
Billie wishes that everyone would know that no one is immune to struggling with mental health, and we are not alone in those struggles.
Let's do more to prevent su***de by telling our story. Billie says, "It is healing to tell your story, and it can help others to hear your story. It will also build understanding and empathy. Everyone goes through struggles in life, and we need to understand that we are not alone. Often times people do not know that we are struggling, but if we talk about those struggles it can bring healing and help."
Read Billie's story, and all other stories of resilience shared this month as part of our campaign for ***dePreventionMonth, at https://bit.ly/3v7PfkK.
