Stephen "Stevie" Lee Fugate 1972-1999

In 1999 I lost my only son to suicide.

Stevie was operating my business for me while I attempted a "thru-hike" of the Appalachian Trail. I had traveled just over half the trail when I received word that my son had placed a gun in his mouth and effectively ended both our lives.

I am convinced that there is no pain equal to that of losing a child. The grief was indescribable. I felt as though someone had taken an axe and chopped out my heart while I was yet breathing! My son, this living, breathing, precious life, my beautiful contribution to the universe, was suddenly gone. I can in no way fully describe the pain, I don't know how to scream on paper...

Eight months later I returned to the exact spot where I had stopped my hike and proceeded to finish the "AT" as a tribute to my son. I screamed and cried almost every step of the way but I finished, having walked the entire 2,167 miles. While out on the trail in solitude, surrounded by the magnificent, inspiring beauty that encompasses that soothing and healing footpath, my life took a turn. For me, the Appalachian Trail became a pathway back to life... Trail Therapy. After completing my "thru-hike" of the Appalachian Trail I adopted a creed; I want no other parent to suffer the horror that I had to go through and I wanted no other young person to miss out on the chance to.. "LOVE LIFE"

I came up with the idea of walking across the U.S.A. I put a sign over my head.."LOVE LIFE" and off I went! I conveyed my message to all I encountered. I felt it so successful, I did it again. Only this time I walked around the United States. My beautiful daughter helped orchestrate both walks.