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FREED SPIRIT
Come with me, Brett, let’s go for a walk.
Where are we going?, it seems to be dark.
Just give us your smile, it’ll light up our way.
He did, and the path grew light as the day.
But what of my friends, I can’t leave them there!
They know you love them, they know that you care
Your friends are okay, they know you’re with me
We’ll go up this way, you’ll love it, you’ll see.
I don’t want to worry my mom and my dad!
And what about family, Tyler and Chad?
My son, don’t you know they see you and I
Each time they look lovingly up to the sky?
So now we can go, come, take my hand.
Brett turned back with that smile and lit up the land.
b.l.c. 2024
Brett M. Staples Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition
Our coalition focuses on educating the public and supporting families affected by brain disorders to foster understanding and systemic change.
Explore how we can ALL make a difference
Our mission is to foster awareness and provide essential support for those affected by brain disorders.
Law Enforcement Training
We provide specialized training for law enforcement and emergency responders.
Public Education
Our programs focus on educating communities about brain disorders and their impacts.
Advocacy Initiatives
We push for systemic changes in care and treatment policies.
Remembering Brett M. Staples (1990–2024)
Early Life and Promise
Brett was born on February 20, 1990, in Farmington, Maine, and raised in Jay as the youngest of three sons to Bob and Shannon Staples. A talented student and athlete, he loved basketball, soccer, and wrestling (State Champion in his weight class his senior year)—earning top honors at Dirigo High School before leaving to pursue his GED and seek freedom in Alaska’s fishing industry.
Struggles and Community Support
Later diagnosed with schizo affective disorder, Brett faced significant mental health challenges that led to substance use and homelessness. Despite his family’s efforts and intervention from community service organizations, access to consistent treatment remained a struggle. Though marked by hardship, Brett remained generous—giving away the only winter boots he had—and resilient, even after suffering frostbite that necessitated the loss of part of one foot and toes on the other.
A Bright Spirit Remembered
Brett earned a place at Huston Commons, a supportive housing community in Portland, where his warmth, blue eyes, and ever-present smile warmed the hearts of those around him. Close friends and neighbors described him as “a very kind soul… always smiling and always happy”.
Tragic Loss
On August 6, 2024, while walking on railroad tracks near Morrill’s Corner in Portland, Brett was struck by an Amtrak train and later died at Maine Medical Center at age 34. His passing deeply affected his hometown community in Jay and beyond.
Honoring His Legacy
Moved by loss and a desire for change, Brett’s father Bob resigned his position as chair of RSU 73 to launch the Brett M. Staples Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition in Jay. This nonprofit educates and advocates for those who, by law, can refer individuals with serious mental illness to court-mandated treatment—such as Maine’s Progressive Treatment Plan, which the family learned about only after Brett’s passing.
Brett’s story—born in Jay, shaped by struggle, and ultimately marked by loss—also became a beacon, inspiring action and compassion. Through community vigils and his father’s nonprofit work, Brett’s legacy continues to raise awareness and seek change in how brain disorders and homelessness are treated in Maine and beyond.
May his memory carry forward: a reminder that every person deserves dignity, support, and hope.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can contact Maine Crisis Hotline (1‑888‑568‑1112) or dial 988.
Brain Injury Association of America – Maine Chapter (BIAA-ME) Helpline: 800-444-6443
Articles
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The Heart of Care: Honoring Caregivers of Individuals with Brain Disorders
At the Brett M. Staples Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition, we know that behind every person living with a serious brain disorder, there is almost always a caregiver quietly holding the world together. Caregivers are parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, and friends. They are advocates, record keepers, medication managers, transportation providers, crisis responders, and emotional anchors. They…
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HIPAA & Anosognosia: What Families Need to Know
The Problem Families caring for a loved one with a serious brain disorder often hear the same painful phrase again and again: “I can’t share that information because of HIPAA.” For families dealing with anosognosia—a neurological condition that prevents a person from recognizing they are ill—this response can feel not just frustrating, but dangerous. Understanding…
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Common Early Signs of Psychosis – Understanding and Supporting Loved Ones
Common Early Signs of Psychosis – Understanding and Supporting Loved Ones Psychosis is a brain-based condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and perceives reality. While full-blown psychotic episodes can be frightening, research shows that early signs often appear weeks, months, or even years before a crisis. Recognizing these signs early can make a…
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