2014/06/07 - Greg Bradley - Age 36 yrs - Bartlett, Tennessee

Submitted by: Andrea Bradley - Sibling

Name: Greg Bradley
State:  Tennessee, 38134
Date of Passing: 06/07/2014
Date of Birth: 05/03/1978
Age: 36 

Tell Us About Them:

Greg was the best big brother a girl could ask for and an even better uncle to my baby girl. He loved sports, the Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies, along with the Atlanta Braves. He loved playing video games. He was my families protector, a best friend to many, and my best friend.

Tell Us About Their Struggles With Addiction:

My brother dealt with alot of emotional pain throughout his life, mostly due to his weight. He suffered from depression and you could always tell when he was off his medicine. I wasn't made aware of his heroin usage until May 3rd, 2013, when his best friend called and told me while I was living in Nashville. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything from that far away so I called my Daddy. They confronted my brother and he told them he had only tried it a few times and he did not have a problem. After that he didn't speak to me for months. Thankfully we made up before he passed, yet I was never sure he was using. I would ask questions and try to get him to slip up and tell me, but he never would. Below is my story of the night I realized how right I was, he was still using.

Below you will see the story of the night I lost my brother to a heroin overdose. I'm trying to help as many people as I can and was hoping you could share this story on your page.

On June 7th, 2014, at 8:36 pm, my life was forever changed. I had just moved back to Memphis from Nashville with my 3 yr old daughter. That night I heard my Mom banging on my brothers door. He didn't respond and I could hear the fear in her voice. I ran out of my room and banged on the door as loud as I could while my Mom and I both yelled for him. My 3 yr old daughter was standing right in between us. After trying to kick the locked door open, I grabbed the key and opened the door to my worst nightmare. My brother, lying on the floor, face first, unresponsive. My first instinct was to grab my daughter and take her away, while instructing my Mom to call 911. I locked my daughter in my Dad's office and ran back to my brothers room. My mom then threw the phone at me not able to talk and told me to tell the 911 operator she saw a needle near him. At this time, my dad was already in my brothers room trying to flip him over so he could perform cpr. My brother was a big guy and my dad struggled to flip him over. I somehow found the strength to flip him over and my Dad began cpr. At this time, I witnessed my father punching my brothers chest, hoping to give his heart life as I was wiping the foam out of his mouth and yelling at the 911 operator. While I was wiping the foam away, he bit my finger, then the paramedics arrived. After they arrived, I got my daughter and took her outside, away from the madness. The paramedics worked on him for atleast two hours, and my Mom, Dad and I had hope for those 2 hours that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. On June 7th, 2014, my life, my daughters life, my parents lives changed forever. I lost my brother, my daughter lost her uncle, and my parents lost their son. The pain of losing him is something that we all deal with daily. Including my now 5 yr old who still thinks her Uncle Greg is going to show up anytime. I want addicts to understand they can seek help. My brother was too proud, he thought he was invincible. He wanted to stop but heroin, his pride, and his addiction didn't allow that to happen. I pray that those using, who want to stop, will do it. If they need help, there are so many options out there. Don't put your family through the pain and suffering we live with and will live with the rest of our lives.

I'm sorry for the long message. It's something that is always there though and after seeing your page, I wanted to thank you. I'm not sure if getting my experience out there will help others, but I feel I need to do something.

What Made Them Smile?

His niece Ella! Greg adored his niece. Time with friends and family, he was always the one joking around.

What Do You Miss the Most About Them?

EVERYTHING!!!! I miss everything about him.

If You Had a Chance to Say One More Thing to Your Angel What Would It Be?

I love you!

#AskMeAboutMyAngel #HeroinMemorial #GoneToSoon

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