In a vulnerable and powerful public address, Gladys Potter, a one-time candidate for the United Progressive Party, has opened up about the devastating loss of her son Kenyah, who passed away on August 8, 2026. Breaking her silence weeks after the tragedy, Potter described the period following her son’s death as an unrelenting daily battle with pain, while using her personal heartbreak to lift up others navigating grief, mental health challenges, and unforeseen hardship.
Potter remembered Kenyah as a deeply loved, vibrant, and kind young man whose sudden passing has left an indelible mark on her life. What began as a personal reflection on loss quickly transformed into a message of solidarity for people across all walks of life grappling with their own struggles — from the death of a family member or friend to fractured relationships, job loss, chronic illness, and other life-altering setbacks.
“To my beautiful brothers and sisters who are fighting in the dark right now, I am reaching out my hand to you,” Potter wrote in her public message. Her own experience of profound grief has given her a new, intimate understanding of the heavy mental and emotional toll that acute pain can inflict on a person. Through her own pain, she is urging anyone trapped in despair not to turn away much-needed support, nor to let the weight of their loss steal the future they still have ahead of them.
In a poignant reflection on grief and connection, Potter noted that while her time sharing physical space with Kenyah has come to an end, she still maintains a deep spiritual bond with her son. She carries his voice, warm laughter, and bright smile with her as she slowly works through her sorrow, grounding herself in the love they shared rather than only the pain of his absence.
Potter closed her heartfelt message with a rallying cry for anyone struggling with grief, anxiety, depression, or physical illness to keep pushing forward. She encouraged these individuals to seek new meaning and purpose in the days and years ahead. “Please don’t give up. Don’t surrender your mind or your body to despair,” she said. “God is still good, your purpose is still alive, and there is still beautiful time left for you to live.”