Episode 6: Mathy and Caroline Downing

In this sixth episode of “Akathisia Stories,” we hear from two amazing women: Mathy and Caroline Downing. Mathy was Candace Downing's mother and Caroline her sister. Candace died 16 years ago this month. Her older sister, Caroline, is now 30 years old. She's been outspoken about drug education since losing her sister in 2004. Just a child herself at the time, she co-wrote and narrated the documentary "Prescription: Suicide?" Winner of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights Award for her advocacy at just 18, Caroline remains passionate about her sister’s legacy. As a young adult, she knows that knowledge is power and encourages others to learn as much as they can about medications and their health before making any major decisions regarding their health care. Her blog, although mostly focused on style, doesn’t shy away from talking about sensitive issues such as mental health and losing a sibling. Caroline works in D.C. and lives in Maryland and hopes to write a book about her experience of losing a sibling to SSRIs. We spend the first half of this episode listening to her story, recorded late last year via Skype.

Currently Mathy Downing is a nonpublic school teacher working with grades kindergarten through fifth grade, in subjects such as math, reading fluency and comprehension, writing, and counseling. She remains an international child advocate, a position she's had since 2005, the year following Candace's death. Advocacy has played a major part in her life beginning the year Candace died. It began with her testifying in front of the FDA in the summer of 2004, which led to numerous television, magazine and newspaper article appearances. She has spoken internationally about the rights of children with informed consent, drug transparency, and over-medication. She has also been heavily involved in numerous documentaries in which Candace's story has played a key part. Mathy is also now a key member of the Know More About Drugs alliance. KMAD alliance is an informative website for parents so that they can make informed decisions about any drug prescribed for their child. Last year we spoke first by Skype and then, when the Internet connection wasn't ideal, by phone.