Aiden, you are always in our hearts ♥ We love you ♥
The best memorial to Aiden is to stand strong for who you are,
Stand strong for those who are not like you…
For everyone to have their own safe and honoured place in their own way.
You are precious, just as he was.
(some of )The Many Faces of Aiden
Over 25% of trans teens experience homelessness. The primary goal of Aiden’s fund, which is housed at American University, is to provide timely financial support for trans students who are experiencing housing instability.
To donate to the Aiden Rivera Schaeff Endowment fund please click https://giving.american.edu/page/76266/donate/1
Memories of Aiden.
L’il Dude, Big Heart
(Artwork © 2010 by estate of Aiden Rivera Schaeff)
To donate to the Aiden Rivera Schaeff Endowment fund please click https://giving.american.edu/page/76266/donate/1
Over 25% of trans teens experience homelessness. The primary goal of Aiden’s fund, which is housed at American University, is to provide timely financial support for trans students who are experiencing housing instability.
Aiden Rivera Schaeff was a Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School student who entered ninth grade as a girl and after identifying that he felt more at peace as a boy, transitioned to his new identity without hiding who he was.
The school authorities were extremely supportive of his determination to live his life as who he was.
Some of his fellow-students were not as kind.
He committed suicide on April 22, 2010, one month shy of his 18th birthday.
Aiden not only had tremendous personal courage, he was also charming and fun-loving. At his memorial service, many of his friends noted that he had the singular ability to connect with others. His loss was devastating not only to his family but to the wide circle of people who had stood by his side as he made his remarkable journey.
His moms urge you to think about this: How you speak to others matters. Thoughtless, off-hand comments can literally kill people. Each of us helps to create the world. Be kind in it. If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.
In honor of Aiden’s life, and in an effort to help other youths at risk to survive, we are establishing an endowment fund at the American University in Washington, D.C., to fund student-run initiatives aimed at: 1) Reducing bullying against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) high-school-aged youth, and 2) Helping at-risk youth to survive bullying when it does occur.
To help raise funds to establish the endowment, which has to reach a minimal amount of $50,000 in order to be perpetually managed by the university, we are offering this medallion for sale. The artwork on the medallion is Aiden’s.
For information on contributing to the endowment fund, and purchasing a medallion please click on the medallion or email aidenriveraschaeff@gmail.com
Thank-you
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This is a place to share stories, music, drawings, videos…
by, for and about Aiden.
This site will be permanent and so perhaps a better place to put things than Facebook. You can even copy and paste your posts from Facebook or other sites to here, post links to YouTube…
You can mail any content you want posted to aidenriveraschaeff.com@gmail.com
Thank-you, Auntie Jenny
(some of )The Many Faces of Aiden
*** to add photos, video, music Please email me if you have things to add to the site. We are very happy to have any and all photos, videos that you have. Thanks, Jenny. ***
<a “Angels come in so many forms, blessed are we that are touched by them whether we are aware of it at the time or not.
Aiden Rivera Schaeff 
aiden was simply electric.
he was alive and brought out the best in absolutly everyone he met.
i miss summers with him. every day was a new adventure. a new invention.
ive learned so much from him. il always love him and keep his memory
close.
Aidey- you were one and only. i love you. il always remember what you said that one day to me. always
You were the coolest kid I knew.
Remember the partys, with me you and Robert used to go tooo.
Fun times man, lets go again,
Miss you.
-Eli
Sigh, … just planted a new rosebush in my garden; “Rainbow’s End”; sadly fitting on this warm May day when Aiden and I would have been daring each other into the 70 degree pool. Can’t really even conceive of the idea that I will never hear him laugh again, or be able to hold him. Travel safely Dear Heart, you are ever in my thoughts.
aiden,
regardless of how we left things off the last time i saw you in january, i want you to know that you’re always in my thoughts and i love you so much. always have and always will.
technically now been two weeks without you.
i love you,
and i hope you see this group,
and see that everybody loves you so much.
i miss you, and i want to let you know that people are cracking down on the whole bullying thing.
i think we all know now that we have to come together as a whole,
and fight for happiness.
Cathy & Patty..
My sympathy to you both, your family & friends…I would like to mention the obituary for Aiden was so beautiful…I hope your cherished memories of Aiden can someday help you both with your days ahead..
Cathy, you may or may not remember me,Wanda-Sine-Scott.My family lived up the road from you in Frankford,my sister Nancy and brother Danny.My sister had seen the article in the paper about Aiden .It’s very sad and I hope you don’t mind me sending my condolences..Thinking of you and your beloved son..
Wanda-Sine-Scott.
Dear Aiden,
I never knew you, but I wish I did. I was on Facebook the other day and I added someone with the name ‘Grimlock’ just so I could get to know you. She told me so much about you, and I started to tear up. What an amazing person you were, and still are. I know this is corny to say because everyone says this about deaths, but you are in a better place now. No harm can be done to you, your life is perfect in Heaven. I feel like we are already friends from what I know. Like I said, I wish that I could have met you some time before this happened.
Sincerely,
Helen W
Cathy & Patty,
There are no words.
If I could reach out and hold you I would.
Loss of a child is unimaginable.
I remember you both well and will admiration at the many stands you took for all of us as lesbian moms.
I did not know Aiden but he looks like an amazing young man – this will be a comfort to you in time.
With love,
Tina (& Tim)
I LOVE YOU AIDEN
On behalf of Kingston, Ontario (yes, how arrogant of me to speak for the whole place), for which there is an Aiden connection (where he was conceived), RIP, young man. 😦
It’s been over 15 years since I’ve seen you, since I was a student with Cathy. I have thought of you over the years though, and feel so sorry for everyone’s loss.
so im getting to maryland for the weekend just for you aiden, to go to your balloon service and just be there, i know you really would have appreciated this. my grandmother wasnt going to pay because she was too “worried” she clearly doesnt understand im almost 18. so my mom is taking it out of my savings bond. and i am getting there friday and going home sunday. and i know you’ll be at the service. and we can finally meet. im gonna stay with cate and shes absoutly awesome for this. i love you aiden, and there hasnt been a day that has gone by that i havent thought about you.[:
Everyone. I’m begging you. Be careful with your life. it’s so important, and there are people that can’t imagine going on without you.
Aidey!
I remember when we spent every single day of last summer together. You are still truly my best friend. We were planning on going on another beach trip together this summer, and even though you won’t be there physically, I know you’ll be there with me in spirit. I love you, so, so, so much. I’m sorry you couldn’t be around for my birthday, cause I needed you there as I got my piercing hahaha. But just know everyone misses you and loves you. I felt you there with me on my birthday. ❤
You have helped make me who I am. And I thank God every day that I just had the chance to know you. We were so close, and I still hold you dear to me. Love you, baby.
You’ll always be my sunshine. You have left a huge crater-sized hole in our lives and questions which we cannot fathom the answers to. I hope you have found the peace you sought. My heart aches for everyone feeling your loss, but most especially for your amazing moms. Watch over them. Be at peace. I love you.
Your Tia Maggie
Hi Aiden,
My name is Mario. We’ve never met each other I believe, but your story has surely got out to me. We as supporters can and are learning things from your life that is truly miraculous. You are and will always be an emblem, an emblem of liberty for all the young generation in your community. I hope that your image serves as an icon of goodness in the world..so that people will be more critical and happy in their own lives rather than prey on others. Rest in peace Aiden, and may you be free.
I will hopefully be able to come to your funeral service in the later month. Everyone that I would graciously meet there loves you Aiden. May you be joyful and free.
Sincerely,
Mario
Aiden,
You will never be forgotten.
I miss you.
In my heart forever,
Emmett.
Funeral services will be held SUNDAY MAY 23rd in MONTREAL, Canada.
Dear ‘Aidey’,
I didn’t know you. I never met you. I know people that knew you. And I wanted to let you, your friends, and your family know that you’re amazing. You’ve reached a lot of people. I don’t know what happened, and it’s not my business. However, I think it’s really amazing and touching how you’ve brought people together. The world needs more of that.
Alyx
you have always meant so much to me and you always will.
i love you and i will never stop. ill never forget you. EVER. im working on trying to get a tattoo. my mom said save some money, i think ill have enough ill start saving up after i get back from maryland. and i drew it out already. hopefully i can get it down on your birthday like everyone else. love you aiden ❤
Aiden, you were the most beautiful person i had the pleasure of meeting during my stay in Maryland, and you were one of the reasons i wanted to come visit as soon as i could. You where there to hug me when i need a hug, and there to laugh when i needed to laugh. You cared more than anyone i knew, and i dont know if i ever really made it clear how much you meant to me, but i know youre watching, and i want you to know that im going to live my life as though you were right there with me, becuase you’ll always be in my heart. Always. I once had a friend of mine design me a tattoo of a bleeding heart that was going to get to always remind me of my biological brothers, but i want to dedicate that tattoo to the brother i didnt meet soon enough, and the brother i lost too soon. Until i see you again Aiden, know that every moment we shared will be replayed countless time, just to see your face, hear your voice, and hear your laugh again. Love you bro, and ill miss you more than words can ever express.
Not a day has gone by that I haven’t look through your facebook pictures. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of your face, smile, blue eyes, laughter, and overall character. I really wish you were here. i LOVE YOU TONS. dont ever forget that okay?.
-Im currently just picturing that “pouty face” that i know many have seen. i used to make you do it just because you looked so adorable. ADORABLE. something you always were and always will be. I feel your presence in everything i DO. ..I miss you.
You have made me into the person I am today.
You are the most beautiful and amazing being to have ever step foot on this earth.
I love you, Your the one. The only one.
Once I am of age I’m getting a representation of you tattooed on my body, so when ever I look, I’ll see you. The amazing perfect beauty of you baby.
Before then, I’m getting dog tags that say:
‘Aiden Grimlock’
‘Big brother and best friend’
‘I will always love you’
and on the second one it will say:
‘May 25, 1992-April 22, 2010’
‘So long and goodnight.’
You are the reason I can keep on going Aiden.
The reason I wake up.
I love you.
I love you. I will always love you. I can’t wait until I honor my body with a representation of you. You were my best friend. You are my best friend. You taught me to love. I was completely broken before you came into my life and taught me that love means you have to let people in, and not all people are evil. You really are the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I love you.
My beloved child — what happened? Always in my heart. Mommy.