I know you are wondering - how is this project going to be presented and why through this forum?
We are a society of technology and we find safety behind screens. Therefore, as I was working through how I wanted to conduct the "interviews," I tried to envision a setting that was informal and comfortable. I wanted the people who were the subject of my pieces to feel as though they were opening up to a friend and not apart of one of the biggest projects of my life! The factor of pressure mixed with the simple choice of sharing some of your toughest times, is nerve wracking and uncomfortable. Finally, I concluded that the informal interviews would be simply over the phone. Through text messaging, I asked the subject's questions and they responded with either an audio or text message. This allowed the interviewee to take their time considering their responses and do it in the comfort of any location they chose. No one had to go out of their way travelling to a specific, predetermine location or sit in a single space for the duration of time. The subjects were comfortable, at ease and able to provide the best answers possible in their own time. What you will see in the drop down bar is first (perhaps middle) name initials and last names of the people interviewed. As you click through, each will have their accompanied photo and the piece I wrote based on their own stories. As you scroll, please be mindful that these stories contain information personal to each of the subject's. Let us, as readers, be grateful that we have access to their unique experiences, and always have compassion.