Katelynn Ordone’s Journey Through Grief: Taking a Social Media Pause After Son’s Tragic Loss
In a heartfelt announcement shared on Instagram the day after Christmas, Katelynn Ordone revealed her decision to step back from social media to focus on her mental health following the devastating loss of her two-year-old son Preston. “Most of y’all know, I’ve obviously been really struggling mentally since losing my son Preston in April of this year,” she shared candidly with her followers. The timing of her announcement speaks volumes about the emotional weight she carries – just before what would have been Preston’s birthday on December 27, and right after experiencing her first Christmas without him. These milestone moments have intensified her grief journey, compelling her to recognize that she needs space to heal properly. Katelynn explained that she never really allowed herself to take a step back from the beginning, perhaps because maintaining her online presence was part of her initial coping mechanism. However, she’s now reached a point where continuing as usual has become too difficult, and she needs to redirect her focus to “the things that are physically around me” – particularly her daughter, family, and the friends supporting her through this unimaginable time.
Despite her need for distance from social media, Katelynn expressed a deep appreciation for the platform that has allowed her to preserve Preston’s memory. “I do want this to always be a page where Preston is remembered on,” she shared, revealing the complex relationship many grieving parents have with social media – it simultaneously serves as both a potential source of stress and a precious digital memorial. Her followers, who knew her son as “Okay Baby” online, have provided tremendous support throughout her grief journey, something she acknowledged gratefully in her message. Katelynn didn’t commit to a specific timeframe for her social media break, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the healing process. “I don’t really know how long of a break I’m going to need. It literally might just be a week and I’ll be ready,” she admitted, emphasizing that she’ll return when she feels mentally prepared to do so. This open-ended approach demonstrates an important recognition that grief doesn’t follow a predetermined schedule and that healing requires flexibility and self-compassion.
The tragedy that changed Katelynn’s life forever occurred in April when Preston died in a single-vehicle car accident. While both Katelynn and her husband Jaelan were in the car and sustained injuries, their daughter Paisley was fortunately at school during the accident. In May, Us Weekly confirmed that Preston’s death resulted from “blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle crash,” with the St. Tammany Parish coroner’s office categorizing it as accidental. The physical and emotional trauma Katelynn experienced was profound; in July, she revealed on TikTok that she suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident that affected her memory. “I don’t have any memory of 2-3 days after the accident. I don’t have much memory of being in the hospital until towards the end,” she explained to her followers, adding another layer of complexity to her grief journey – processing a loss without complete memory of the circumstances surrounding it.
Throughout the months following the accident, Katelynn has been remarkably transparent about her grief process, sharing both the emotional and physical impacts of her loss. In an August YouTube video, she opened up about gaining 20 pounds since the accident, explaining how even everyday tasks had become challenging. “I just started being able to drive. It’s probably been a month now,” she shared, revealing how the trauma had affected her ability to perform routine activities. Her reliance on takeout food became both a practical solution and a symptom of her struggle. “I also struggle to just do things in general, so it’s just easier for me to do takeout,” she explained, while acknowledging her desire to eventually return to cooking healthier meals for her family. This honest revelation highlights how grief affects not just emotional wellbeing but also physical health and daily functioning.
Katelynn’s journey illustrates the multi-dimensional nature of grief, particularly the devastating experience of child loss. While maintaining Preston’s online presence and connecting with supportive followers has been meaningful, she’s reached a point where she needs to prioritize in-person connections and focus on caring for herself and her daughter. The holiday season – typically associated with joy and family togetherness – has understandably intensified her pain, creating a need for more intentional self-care. By publicly acknowledging her struggle and decision to step back, Katelynn not only tends to her own needs but also normalizes the importance of mental health breaks for others experiencing grief. Her openness serves as a reminder that there is no “right way” to grieve and that taking space when needed is a vital part of the healing process.
The community that has formed around Katelynn and her family during this tragic time demonstrates the unique way social media can provide support during life’s most difficult moments. Her followers have witnessed her journey through raw grief, including the physical recovery from the accident, the psychological processing of trauma, and the ongoing challenge of parenting her daughter while mourning her son. When she eventually returns to social media, that same community will likely welcome her back with understanding and compassion. Until then, her decision to prioritize in-person support and focus on her immediate family environment represents an authentic and self-aware approach to healing. As she noted in her Instagram caption, accompanied by the hashtags #mentalhealth #grief #childloss #prestonforever, this break is not about disconnecting permanently but about finding sustainable ways to honor Preston’s memory while caring for her own wellbeing – a delicate balance that all grieving parents must navigate in their own time and way.
