Family Archives - Page 39 of 47 - StoryCorps

Jeff Lasater and Drew Cartwright

lasater_extra11At 14, Jeremiah Lasater, pictured at left in his football uniform, towered over his classmates and struggled with a learning disability.

A gentle giant, he was an easy target for bullying, until he finally took his own life.

His father, Jeff Lasater (above left), came to StoryCorps with his friend Drew Cartwright (above right) to remember Jeremiah.

Since Jeremiah’s death in 2008, Jeff has devoted himself to preventing bullying of kids with special needs.

Originally aired January 31, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition

Photo courtesy of the Lasater family.

Lionel D’Luna, Adrienne D’Luna Directo and Debra D’Luna

Alexis D’Luna had CHARGE Syndrome, a rare, life-threatening genetic condition that causes a number of birth defects. Alexis was intellectually disabled, legally blind and had hearing problems. She stood just under 5 feet tall because of deformities in her legs and back.

Many children with CHARGE don’t live beyond infancy, but Alexis lived to be 25. She died in her sleep in December 2012.

Her parents, Debra and Lionel D’Luna, came to StoryCorps with her sister, Adrienne, to remember her.

Originally aired January 24, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Juan Castillo y Carmen Santos

Carmen Santos y su hermano Juan Castillo crecieron en Los Angeles pensando que su madre los había abandonado cuando vivía en Guatemala. Un día, descubrieron la verdad sobre lo que pasó.

Glenda Rike and Larry Rike

Ambulance driver Aubrey Rike and his assistant, Dennis “Peanuts” McGuire, were on a call at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was brought in.

At StoryCorps, his widow, Glenda, tells her son Larry about the day of the shooting, Aubrey’s time with the First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, about the difficulty he would often have years later talking about it.

Originally aired November 22, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Watch an interview with Aubrey Rike and Dennis “Peanuts” McGuire:

Robin Share and Rami Aizic

Since childhood, Rami Aizic knew he always wanted to be a father and just assumed that one day he would meet a woman, fall in love, and it would all fall into place.

Then he realized he was gay.

Robin Share wanted to be a mother, but she did not have a partner, so when a friend introduced them and they hit it off, they began making plans to have a baby together.

At StoryCorps, Rami and Robin talk about their journey to become parents to their now 14-year-old daughter.

Originally aired November 1, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

StoryCorps 10th Anniversary Update: Danny Perasa and Annie Perasa

For the 10th Anniversary of StoryCorps, we are revisiting some of our favorite stories.

perasa_originalWhen we first heard from Danny and Annie Perasa in August 2004, they talked about their first date, an on-the-spot marriage proposal, and their deep enduring love for each other. Danny also shared that he leaves daily love notes for Annie.

“To my princess, the weather out today is extremely rainy, I’ll call you at 11:20 in the morning. And I love you, I love you, I love you.”

In February 2006, Danny and Annie recorded another StoryCorps interview, but this time it was conducted in their Brooklyn home because as they revealed, he has a fast spreading form of pancreatic cancer.

“My dearest wife, this is a very special day. It is a day on which we share our love which still grows after all these years. Now that love is being used by us to sustain us through these hard times. All my love, all my days and more. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Not long after that interview, Danny died in his sleep at the age of 67.

Today, Annie, 71, still lives in that same apartment, and she recently recorded another StoryCorps interview to thank all those who have reached out to her over the years and let everyone know that while she misses Danny, she has his love letters and is doing all right.

Originally aired October 25, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Rebecca Greenberg, Carl Greenberg, and Laura Greenberg

 

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When we first heard from Laura Greenberg and her daughter Rebecca in January 2011, Laura spoke about growing up in her parents’ home in Queens, New York, in the 1950s, and not knowing what normal behavior was. She also spent time telling stories about meeting and marrying her husband, Carl.

Laura and Rebecca returned to StoryCorps, this time with Carl along as well, to give him an opportunity to weigh in on some of the things said about him the first time his wife and daughter recorded their interview.

Originally aired October 24, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Priya Morganstern and Bhavani Jaroff Update

For our 10th anniversary, we’re revisiting some favorite stories.

Priya Morganstern (L) and her sister, Bhavani Jaroff (R), first came to StoryCorps in 2006 to interview their father, Ken Morganstern, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

Ken died in 2007. Priya and Bhavani recently came back to StoryCorps to remember him.

Originally aired October 27, 2010 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Starr Cookman and Kylee Moreland Fenton

Starr Cookman (left) and Kylee Moreland Fenton (right) have been best friends since they were children—even trying to become blood sisters. And today, they remain just as close, living on the same street as each other with their families.

Kylee is a nurse and soon after Starr’s son Rowan was born, he began breathing rapidly and spitting up food. This concerned Kylee and she recommended getting him to a doctor immediately. It turned out there was something wrong with his heart and he was rushed into surgery, saving his life.

At StoryCorps, Starr and Kylee discuss the bond between them that has only grown stronger over time.

Originally aired October 18, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Gordon Schei and Christine Schei

schei_additional1In October 2005, 21-year-old Army Sgt. Erik Schei was shot in the head during his second tour in Iraq. The bullet shattered the top half of his skull, and doctors told his parents, Gordon and Christine, that he would be paralyzed and in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.

Erik has since made a remarkable recovery, and at StoryCorps, his parents discuss their concerns about the future, and as his primary caretakers, their ability to care for their son as they get older.

Originally aired October 12, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.

Above: The Schei Family in 2010 from left to right: Anneka, Gordon, Erik, Deven and Christine. Photo courtesy of the Schei family.