Before my 14-year-old son, Akeal, was murdered, I was a single mom to three amazing sons, living a normal life. Now I’m living a life dealing with mental illness, being diagnosed with PTSD, having nightmares, dealing with unwanted memories of the trauma, also dealing with anxiety, and depressed mood. Yes, I am dealing with a mental illness, but I’ve also found a way to be Akeal’s voice and speak up against the everyday gun violence destroying lives in the urban communities.