"Its ok if today the only thing you accomplished was to breathe."

— Tonya Crump

At Twizted Journeys we believe that storytelling is healing. Each voice contributes to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, grief, and addiction. Whether you're a survivor, supporter, or someone still finding your way — your words can offer comfort, courage, and connection.

Twizted Journeys — the winding road forward, a symbol of every journey
Content Disclosure

Twizted Journeys shares personal stories for awareness, connection, and hope. Some stories may include grief, suicide loss, addiction, overdose, trauma, or mental health struggles. These stories are not therapy, medical advice, crisis counseling, or emergency support. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call emergency services now. In the United States, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis support.

If you are under 18: Please have a parent or guardian help you before submitting a story or sharing personal details publicly. We want your voice heard safely.

KR
KR — Twizted Journey
Shared with permission · Twizted Journeys family

Katrina Lee Rodarmel was born in San Bernardino California on March 18th 1987 to Orville and Shannon Rodarmel. She received her GED while in prison which shows courage resilience and growth. She had four children McKenzie, Fiona, Rowan, and Penelope — she also loved Jared Navada like her own.

I was only around her a few times but it was a blessing meeting her — it felt like you had known her forever. The first time was when Tina moved back to Shelbyville and they attended their first NA meeting at the dry dock. I just remember two great big huge smiles and that's all you seen as the two of them sat across the table from me and Tina introduced us. The smiles, the love that these two had was immeasurable.

I've known Tina for quite a few years and I can honestly say that I had not seen her as cheerful or as happy or as content as I did when she was with Katrina. The two of them loved riding bikes together, they loved the outdoors, the river, taking the hammock out for a picnic and watching movies on their phone together.

Katrina was very diverse — not only did she love playing basketball, she also loved crocheting. Her love for music was like no other. One of her favorite things was singing love songs to Tina. They shared many great times — their first drag show, her first concert (Dierks Bentley) with Five Finger Death Punch being her second. They both loved to laugh, which is why they went to the Mike Epps show.

Katrina always liked to help others — and I know this for a fact because she was one of our volunteers at Twizted Journeys Light Up the Night 2025. There she helped get the food ready, handled money for us, and most importantly helped me corral the twins — which meant the world to me and my daughter. She did all this with that beautiful huge smile on her face even though she was hurting inside.

She wore a ring with her favorite scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 — "I know the plans I have for you." I was asked how that could be her favorite scripture when she cut her story short. I don't have all the answers. But I can tell you I am a daughter of God as was she — and through the blood of Jesus Christ we have our redemption. Choosing free will does not take us away from God. Our story is already written and the big guy upstairs is the author. He knows a person's heart and he knew Katrina's, and I believe he was there with her holding her so she was not alone.

Katrina and Tina were volunteers for Twizted Journeys — now they both belong to our Twizted family. Katrina's name will now go on our memorial t-shirts and we will continue her story not only on our website but also yearly at multiple events.

The hurt, the pain, the anguish and the loss that you see in Tina is something she never wants anyone else to go through. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation — but the suicide loss survivors have a dark, scary journey. You're not alone. There's a whole family here.

If you feel like harming yourself — think about what it's going to do to those left behind. Please stay. Please reach out. Please text 988. Please call somebody — if the first person doesn't answer, call somebody else. Please give tomorrow another chance.

EF
EF — Twizted Journey
Shared with permission

EF's story is part of the Twizted Journeys family — a reminder that every journey matters. More stories are being added here — visit our story archive to read and share journeys.

JC
JC — Twizted Journey
Shared with permission

JC's journey is one of many shared in this safe space. Every story matters. Every person matters. More stories are being added here — visit our story archive to read and share journeys.

MS
MS — Twizted Journey · Myra
Shared with permission

This is Myra Stephens. I just wanted to remember my best friend Deke Sierp who committed suicide 4 years ago on my brother Uriah Lee Stevens' birthday, 3-20-2018. He was diagnosed with severe manic depression and PTSD along with a few other mental conditions from being over in Iraq. He got medevac'd out because he got his leg blown off and they gave him an honorable discharge and a medal of honor.

Shortly after Deke made it home he had problems transitioning and adapting to his new lifestyle of having to be in a wheelchair and it all had taken its toll on him. He started drinking heavily, doing drugs — just to be able to feel numb. Deke never led anyone on to believe the horrible thoughts that had been running through his mind.

I was the last person he talked to — 30 minutes before he shot himself — and I was the very last person he posted on Facebook. My world crashed at my feet. I was so lost and confused and mad because he broke his promise to me — he told me he would never leave me behind. I miss him so much.


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