Follow along as I post daily updates of my 3 month 16,000 mile road trip!
05/06/2023
9/27/21: Kay
Kay is the third person I interviewed for this project. I met Kay during our undergraduate coursework, where we studied abroad in Italy together! Kay brought out the creativity in me that I truly needed for the rest of the trip.
Kay’s story is next.
05/05/2023
9/22/2021
This day I really began to obsess over Fujifilm Instax and instant photography. I took these in upstate NY when I was on my way to Rochester, NY.
Mix of instax and 35mm shots.
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05/05/2023
Jake, I never got to meet you, but I feel like I know you so much better now after these interviews, attending Rio-Bash, and meeting everyone in the community who adored you.
Your mom is one of the kindest, most selfless individuals, and I am so proud and honored to have her and Dave in my life.
We’ve never touched paths in this physical life, but I can feel your presence on a spiritual level. Thank you for keeping me safe on the road.
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
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05/05/2023
Jake’s car was recently used in new music video, $WISH with and !
They reached out to after they saw Jake’s car on social media, and they had to have it for the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKaji1Tf_8
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05/04/2023
9/20/21
It may sound cliche, but I truly believe it was Jake.. the universe… a collective energy?… showing me that this was the right path. This was the right move. I’m meant to be doing this project. Then, for the rest of my journey, I experienced many synchronicities similar to this one. Jake was with me starting at this moment and would be with me for my remaining time on the road.
Once we finished our interviews, Dave, Jeanie, and I were met with an epic rainstorm. Rain downpoured around the lakehouse and we watched from inside. When it stopped, we had one of the brightest rainbows and a sunset to finish the night.
05/04/2023
Dave does everything in his power to be there for Jeanie, while also promoting the brand.
Full story and images I’m bio.
05/04/2023
A few of my favorites from my shoot with Dave at him and Jeanie’s lake house.
Full story and images in bio!
05/03/2023
Dave: 9/21/2021
I met Dave through Jeanie and he is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He told me about his story and how he was involved in Jake’s life, while also describing him and Jeanie’s life after Jake’s death.
Today I will share Dave’s story.
05/03/2023
6/2022: 9 months after I met Jeanie, she invited me to come to the annual Rio-Bash in her son’s name—Jake Rio (nicknamed Rio).
She wasn’t kidding when it was nothing but love.
Full images and story in bio.
05/03/2023
Some of my favorites from Jeanie’s shoot at her lake house.
Full blog, video, and images in bio!
05/02/2023
Jeanie: 9/21/2021
Jeanie was the first person I interviewed for Destigmatized. Since that time, her and I have grown very close. She consistently supports me in any way she can and I’m so thankful for her.
Today I will share Jeanie’s story and her connection to the mental health community.
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05/02/2023
9/9 - 9/19
For once, I finally felt in a comfortable living space in over two years. Brad, Erika, and Max made me feel right at home.
Full size images and blog posts in bio!
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