Look, we know that there’s always the temptation to not talk about Carrie Fisher’s toxicology report and to just leave her alone.
But she wouldn’t want us to, and you don’t have to take our word for it.
Take it from her daughter, Billie Lourd.
We all know that, drug-wise, Carrie Fisher had a little bit of everything in her system when she died.
Her daughter, Billie Lourd is speaking out about the toxicology report, and she’s honestly an inspiration.
We know that she must be hurting about it all, because how could she not be.
But her words are wise and a fitting tribute to her mother.
“My mom battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life. She ultimately died of it.”
Technically, sleep apnea with other undetermined factors isn’t always drug use, but … drugs can take a hell of a toll on the body.
And when drug use and abuse is a direct result of mental illness, as is so often the case, you wonder if people ever stood a chance.
“She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases.”
It’s so important that Billie said that.
Carrie’s battle was a personal one but it wasn’t a secret.
“She talked about the shame that torments people and their families confronted by these diseases.”
It’s clear that Billie isn’t ashamed of the amazing woman her mom was.
“I know my Mom, she’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles.”
That is the most extreme case of making good out of a bad situation that we’ve ever read.
But she’s right.
Carrie Fisher was so open all along because she hoped that, if she spoke about it, others would feel open to discuss their issues.
And to maybe do more than speak.
“Seek help, fight for government funding for mental health programs.”
That’s a great cause.
Maybe people will find places and donate in Carrie’s name.
Or at least in honor and memory of Carrie Fisher’s death.
But real change can only come through guaranteed funding from the state.
And, of course, in ending the stigma so that people aren’t afraid to seek help.
“Shame and those social stigmas are the enemies of progress to solutions and ultimately a cure. Love you Momby.”
Billie Lourd’s so well-spoken about her mother’s death.
She has her mother’s courage.
As much as she’s hurting — more than any of us, which is a lot — she’s not wasting any time in making sure that everyone understand what her mother stood for.
In the process, she’s putting her mother’s death and the factors that lead to it in a helpful context.
Because, just like her mother and grandmother, Billie Lourd is better than we deserve.
Anyway, we’re not crying, we’re just allergic to sadness.
Carrie Fisher was mentally ill and an addict for life.
That’s not the kind of struggle that even a phenomenal woman like Carrie overcomes overnight.
And that, medical and legal jargon aside, is how she came to die at 60.
We don’t need to dwell on the details of her final days.
But loving Carrie Fisher and her memory means accepting and understanding the complicated person she was.
And the battles that she fought — and ultimately lost — during her too-short life.
