Born: 1985
Died: 2009
Photo and Voice Submitted by: Ginger, Reno, NV
Tell us about Sabrina:
Our beautiful Sabrina surprised us by coming into the world six weeks early and tipping the scales at a little over 4 lbs. From the very beginning she was humorous and had a beguiling personality. Her childhood was one filled with love and laughter. Sabrina excelled in school, loved playing soccer, riding horses and running. She was also gifted artist and talented writer. Sabrina had many, many friends and adored her little brother. She loved all animals especially her horse, dogs, guinea pigs, her Beta fish and whales.
Tell us about Sabrina’s struggle with addiction:
Sabrina’s struggle with addiction began in high school with alcohol. Unbeknownst to us, several of her friend’s parents provided alcohol freely at their home. This was the “ground zero” of her struggle with addiction. Her alcohol use was hidden from us. Sabrina did very well in high school, was on the girls’ soccer team and graduated in the top 10% of her class. Her first year of college went very well; she kept her straight A average. However at the beginning of her Sophomore year she began hanging out with quite a different group of kids. Half way through her college Sophomore year, we received an anonymous letter telling us that our daughter had a severe cocaine addiction and begged us to get her help—which we did—but we were more than stunned. Next, came the DUI and the beginning of the downward spiral of Rehab’s, relapses, another DUI, and more drugs. She died from a multiple drug overdose of alcohol, pain meds, Xanax, and heroin that she smoked.
What made Sabrina smile?
Quoting funny dialog from her favorite movies, hanging out with her brother, going to concerts and researching new music. The ocean. The television show “The OC” and Seth Cohen. All ‘90’s Nickelodeon/Disney shows especially “The Adventures of Pete and Pete”. Eating and drinking anything pumpkin flavored. Gorging on maraschino cherries with her dad. Being awkward on purpose, tripping in public to make people laugh. Reading books on philosophy, starting a new painting or drawing. Playing with her dog’s Quincy and Stella. Family feasts, holidays, and BBQ’s. Her family.
What do you miss most about Sabrina?
Everything! I miss her beautiful smile, her humor, her touch, her smell. I miss that I’ll never hear her voice, her laugh, see her sleeping or watch her interact with her brother. I miss that I’ll never see her dancing with her father at her wedding, or her having a child. I miss everything that was Sabrina.