Chris Cornell’s mother-in-law Toni Kararyiannis has responded on Instagram to a May 2016 Alternative Nation story we recently reposted to celebrate Chris Cornell’s birthday titled ‘How Chris Cornell’s Bandmate Saved His Life Years Ago Is Incredible.’
She discussed childhood abuse Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell suffered in a series of beautiful tribute posts, and how Cornell’s family plans to help victims of childhood abuse through the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, which you can read more about here.
“Jeff Gorra wrote this in may 2016 for Alternative Nation!
Happen yrs ago but we always remember those who give a helping hand no matter what! TimmyC was and is always in my heart!He lovedChris so much and Chris loved and admire him as a friend ,as a very talented man, as a hero in my books as of many of you I’m sure!Lets bring love in this world and a helping hand when possible! Love you Timmy C!??????#audioslave #chriscornell #ChesterBennington #talindabennington #timcommerford #soundgarden #tommorello #templeofthedog #vickycornell #friendsforever And all the band mates of CC for the strong love they had for one another!?????????Today we cry for Chester for his family and we pray for them to have the strength they need!.”
“I want to bring them back today! I can’t bare the pain! I’m angry why ,why all these demons they carry! The childhood pain doesn’t ever leave us as I thought ,since I never experience ,or had someone around me! Our kids as I’m Greek are gold to us!That’s all I know! I’m angry ,motivated to help and vicky and Toni to save as many children as I can ,every day of our lives! Chris foundation and Vickys will work harder than ever! Any child has a right to be treated w unconditional love! No I don’t cry today and I’m done crying! What nonsense is that? I will cry for Chris ,Chester ,abused children ,forever! What the F.. what it means we abuse children and it’s ok forgive them! BS I don’t forgive anyone who abuse children period! And I despise them for it!
I’m so angry but it’s a good thing! I’m a fighter more than ever for any children that anyone dares to hurt them! Chris Chester couldn’t get rid of abuse who leads to addiction darkness!Their abuse, brought addiction next brought it all up that dark night! After that ,easy to fall to a place of no return!As Chester explain to all ! So pls put our pain to children let’s save as many as we can! And yes we can! Chris left us the means to do so! And we will the best way possible! Vicky Toni is all for it! What happen to those beautiful souls in the night of darkness shouldn’t be allowed to happen to any child who grows up w same nightmares for life! U want the truth here it is from their mouths from their hearts! I heard it and I tell you! ??.”
She later posted, “I love Seattle! That’s where chris was born !Met ppl in his bands ,that I never met anywhere in the world! Their love and kindness left me speechless!Those incredible talented men so humble that took me by surprise! Their wives their families no words to describe! Speechless from their kindness and hospitality speaking of Greeks! ?But the demons the darkness from childhood memories was there nothing to do w his band mates! They (band mates) and his music saved him all those yrs! But demons hide well and no one saw them this time! They took over and we lost ChrisCornell! Starting w Seattle which I love bec he was born there we start his first help to children! Only the beginning , w much more to do and soon! Makes us feel better ,makes us feel ,we do exactly what Chris told us to do as always! Love to Seattle !Love to Chris !???.”
“Anyway pls no matter what ,let’s make some noise ,for abuse children! Before i was naive ,now seeing too grown men ,not able to handle it after all those yrs?? Now its close to home! I will help any way I can big time! All I need from u is your voice! Chris has the means, to do what he started to do! I need your voice! ???Children need your voice! I love you and god bless all of u for your love and support!”