[Torontovibe]

This is very sad and shocking news. Jason and his contributions to this site, will be very much missed.

 

[syn]

My condolences to his friends and family.

I remember him as one of early members when this place started. Wonderful contributor.

 

[daniel_kryz]

Rest in peace to him, and my condolences to his family & friends. I'm sorry, and I'm grateful for his dedication to city-building. Rest in peace.

 

[Rufus8]

Condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, his work will live on. I wish he could have known how much he and his work meant to people.

 

[condovo]

As a followup to the heartfelt front-page story about Jason, I too experienced panic disorder and panic attacks back in the 90s when I still lived in Montreal. I didn't know what was happening to me. I had never heard of panic disorder or panic attacks. I thought maybe I was having a series of heart attacks or that I was dying in some other way.

It went on for months. Sweats, dry mouth, muscle spasms, racing heart, racing thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, wanting to flee but knowing I couldn't outrun anything. I was filled with fear, terrified of having yet another attack. My family doctor didn't know what was going on. I didn't know where else to turn. It was hell.

One day, three or four months into this ordeal, I happened to be listening to a talk show on the radio in my car. (I drove back then and forced myself out of the house occasionally despite my enormous anxiety.) By chance, they were talking about panic disorder and panic attacks with a specialist from the Montreal General Hospital. That's when it all clicked.

I called the hospital the next day and started treatment soon afterward. A combination of medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy and breathing exercises may have saved my life.

It's so important to get professional help with mental illness, just as it is with heart illness, liver illness or any other illness affecting the body, including the brain. Help is out there and some resources are listed at the bottom of the article on Jason.

I'm a private person and talking about this publicly is uncomfortable but I hope that sharing my experience will help others in pain.

 

[Jodiezed]

Condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, his work will live on. I wish he could have known how much he and his work meant to people.

As a followup to the heartfelt front-page story about Jason, I too experienced panic disorder and panic attacks back in the 90s when I still lived in Montreal. I didn't know what was happening to me. I had never heard of panic disorder or panic attacks. I thought maybe I was having a series of heart attacks or that I was dying in some other way.

It went on for months. Sweats, dry mouth, muscle spasms, racing heart, racing thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, wanting to flee but knowing I couldn't outrun anything. I was filled with fear, terrified of having yet another attack. My family doctor didn't know what was going on. I didn't know where else to turn. It was hell.

One day, three or four months into this ordeal, I happened to be listening to a talk show on the radio in my car. (I drove back then and forced myself out of the house occasionally despite my enormous anxiety.) By chance, they were talking about panic disorder and panic attacks with a specialist from the Montreal General Hospital. That's when it all clicked.

I called the hospital the next day and started treatment soon afterward. A combination of medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy and breathing exercises may have saved my life.

It's so important to get professional help with mental illness, just as it is with heart illness, liver illness or any other illness affecting the body, including the brain. Help is out there and some resources are listed at the bottom of the article on Jason.

I'm a private person and talking about this publicly is uncomfortable but I hope that sharing my experience will help others in pain.

You have made me cry and cry yet again. Thank you for sharing this with everyone. I didn't know if I should expose the truth but I had to. A few years ago Jason suffered what you described and for over a year he struggled. He forged ahead but something in him changed 5 months ago. And it all came back and he could not pull out of it. And he would not get professional help. I am so grateful who shared your story and I now know I did the right thing. Congrats and healing and getting better. It is brave of you to share ..you have made my day knowing Jason's death will prompt people to talk. Stay strong and healthy!!

 

[Jodiezed]

Condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, his work will live on. I wish he could have known how much he and his work meant to people.

Jason loved contributing as he did. I was not familiar with this site but my children are now and are healing by reading these posts. Thank you for your kind words

 

[Jodiezed]

Karen, So sorry for your loss.
Thanks for sharing a little bit about the person behind the drone. I always enjoyed his passion and time commitment to UrbanToronto and the City. Amazing work. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Jason was the best He really was full of life and engaged in so many activities... so loved... this ugly illness reared its head 6 months and I really wish he could have pulled himself out. Don't know how we will go on without him but we will forgive and heal. Thank you for you kind words.

 

[Jodiezed]

I want to commend @interchange42, @someMidTowner, @Edward Skira, @Hope, and all the UT Staff who participated in that front page piece.

It's thorough, thoughtful and touching.

I also wish to extend my thanks to his family and friends for sharing Jason's story; both to honour him and to enlighten others on the subject of mental illness.

A brave and wonderful thing to do.

Hello and thank you I was hesitant but I needed to share. Jason wasn't always struggling and overcame a severe episode years ago through sheer determination.He was happy healthy and engaged. But six months ago something changed. He could not pull himself out and needed professional help. I have already received many emails about how this article is helping others and for this I am grateful.

 

[Jodiezed]

Thanks for your notes everyone, I know that Jason's family and friends have appreciated them very much.

We have published a front page story now about Jason, giving you more details about his life, and remembering him. You can find it here.

I've also been sent more photos by his sister Karen (@Jodiezed) from another area of Jason's interests; nature photography. I will post them in this thread soon.

42

It was tough writing what I did but it was the truth. Jason didn't always struggle and had overcome some of his struggles over the last couple years. But this ugly disease reared its head 6 months ago and he just couldn't pull out of it. If I couldn't help him perhaps I can help others through this forum. I believe I have. Thanks

 

[Jodiezed]

Just reading this. What a punch to the gut. I've been on here for years and Jason was one of the few names I remembered because of all the work he put out here. The board has lost a great contributor. RIP to him and my condolences to his loved ones.

Indeed it is. Devastating and unimaginable pain. But reading the posts help for now.

 

[Jodiezed]

A little late seeing this post. Absolutely crushed reading this news. As a former Mississauga’n who still has ties to the city, I always appreciated Jason’s updates on what was going on development wise back home - as he was always on top of new developments and provided countless updates on projects. I’ll feel a little more disconnected from home going forward, and wish I could’ve expressed how much his updates we’re appreciated.

Guess he will always have the best view now. My condolences to his family and friends. Can’t imagine what you are going through, but just know that he was appreciated, as I’m sure you can tell from all these posts.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts too. Yes it was indeed a shock and I am heart broken I could not save my brother. He didn't always struggle and lead a happy engaged life but this damn disease took him over 6 months ago... and hopefully Craig's article will help others. He knew how much he was appreciated by all his community brother and sisters.

 

[Jodiezed]

I am very sorry for your lost, how it happen and how you feel, as I lost a brother and sister the same way.

As I post, I have contacted by ward councilor having something name after Jason and require person info on him to be past onto the councilor to have name added to the City list of names that can be used at a later date. You can PM me on that info.

If you have access to any of Jason photos and videos, you should put them on a DVD's or a hard drive that can be given to the city to be archives in his name.

He gave us shots and videos we can only dream of, especially of sites/areas that cannot be done on the ground.

He made an impact on me and I look forward to his shots of sites that we both shot since he had a very view and angle than me. Sadly I will not be following projects outside my small area that he was always shooting.

Hello and thank you for sharing your own pain. I am guilt ridden that I could not save Jason but I am certain these posts and article are helping others now. I will be in touch with you soon about Jason.

 

[Jodiezed]

Just saw this thread and I am lost for words. I don't know what else he liked but he had a passion for the changing Mississauga skyline. I wish if he can still see the skyline grow from wherever he is.

We could never realize what he was going through as we only get a very small glimpse of people on this forum. May be this is a reminder to treat everyone well, even on a forum like this. You never know what the other person is feeling at that time. He/she may be having a bad day or may have lost their job or worst lost someone and your snarky remark may be too harsh for him/her.

I don't know him but somehow it feels like I lost someone I knew well.

May he rest in peace.

Thank you for your insight. Jason did not always struggle. He was a healthy engaged person but yes, everyone at times struggles. These last 5 months or so something in Jason changed and his mental health deteriorated but NO ONE ever thought he was that devoid and just so sad. We will never come to terms with this but must forge ahead helping each other, absolutely. I know he loved this site and truly enjoyed making others smile with his work.

 

[Jodiezed]

It just seemed so sudden. I hope to get an update on what happened to him at some point.

It was a shock! Jason was not always struggling but did have a severe episode a few years ago of panic anxiety etc. This disease reared its ugly head 6 months ago and he could not pull out f it. I am guilt ridden I could not save him. He was a light in my life. Reading these posts surely help. Thanks.