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Chesley Christ in “Extra” was a light that could not be dimmed, a force that could not be stopped. She is a lawyer, has an MBA, and won the Miss Her USA pageant.
Before she passed away, she was a colleague who brightened up our office every day.
“Extra” spoke with her mother, April Simpkins, on the occasion of the publication of her co-authored book with Cheslie, “By the Time You Read This: The Space between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness — Her Story in Her Own Words.”
“She loved her time on ‘Extra,'” April said. She really built her family here. ”
In his last message to his mother, Chesley asked for her help in publishing the book. Since then, April has been on a mission to fulfill her request.
Simpkins emphasized that there was “nothing stopping us from making it happen.”
Chesley’s book will be released today, just days before what would have been her 33rd birthday.
April smiled and said, “This was Chesley’s dream, so today is a celebration.”
“And to see it get to the finish line means everything to me. And I know she’s dancing in heaven,” Simpkins noted.
In this book, Chesley opens up about her battle with depression, her struggle to be perfect, and the pressure she felt from success.
April said: “We know that people like Chesley, who have a lot going for them, don’t necessarily have voices in their heads that make them feel inferior or like they’re not good enough. I don’t think so, but that’s what she thought.”
In his book, Chesley writes: ”An unwavering feeling that I don’t belong.” And every day she tries to deal with a “constant inner voice that says, ‘It’s never enough.'”
Simpkins says: “My hope is that people will read this book and see her as a human being. I guess they realize they need to take care of themselves.”
April founded the Chesley C. Christ Foundation, with all proceeds from the book going to help people suffering from mental health issues.
She said: “That would be young people and teens working to support their mental health.”
Although Chesley passed away too soon, her legacy and service to others are remembered in her deeply personal memoir, By the Time You Read This: Chesley’s Smile and Spirit. The Space Between Illness – In Her Own Words continues to live on.
April elaborated: “She lived a wonderful life. Chesley is not her death. Chesley is not her mental illness. Chesley is an amazingly beautiful woman who followed her dreams. She is passionate about service and serving others. “And that’s why she left this lasting legacy on this earth.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can ask for help by texting 988.
