Struggle Archives - Page 29 of 46 - StoryCorps

Barbara Amaya and Bianca Belteton

When she was 12, Barbara Amaya ran away from an abusive home. She ended up on the streets of Washington D.C. where she was picked up by sex traffickers and forced into prostitution.

At StoryCorps, Barbara spoke with her daughter, Bianca Belteton, about the years that followed.

Originally aired February 7, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

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.

Clayton Sherrod

Image As a teenager, Clayton Sherrod worked at an all-white country club in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1964, when he was just 19, Sherrod became the club’s first African-American executive chef and remained in the position at the country club for the next 13 years.

At StoryCorps, he remembered how he came to run his first kitchen.

Originally aired January 17, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition

Photo courtesy of Clayton Sherrod.

Kathleen Russo and Marissa Maier

The writer Spalding Gray made a career delivering monologues about his life.

After battling depression, he disappeared on January 10, 2004. His body was found two months later in New York’s East River following an apparent suicide.

When his widow, Kathleen Russo, and his stepdaughter, Marissa Maier, came to StoryCorps, they remembered the day he went missing.

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Spalding Gray was 62 when he died. He left behind a wife and three children.

Susan Mello Souza and Mary Moran Murphy

Susan Mello Souza (left) and Mary Moran Murphy (right) both got pregnant as teenagers. It was 1968, and their families, like so many at that time, wanted to keep their daughters’ situation a secret.

So Mary and Susan were both sent to Saint Mary’s Home for Unwed Mothers in Dorchester, Massachusetts. They lived there until they gave birth, and their children were placed for adoption.

The girls ended up as roommates, and at StoryCorps they remembered when they first met.

Both Mary and Susan have since reunited with their daughters.

Originally aired January 3, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Rogelio Martinez and Lisa Moya King

At the time Rogelio Martinez enrolled in Lisa Moya King’s high school dance class, his father had been deported and he was moving among family members who were abusing him.

After Lisa saw Rogelio’s bruises, she reported the abuse, but days later, after he told her he was going to run away, she offered to help him by allowing him to stay with her and her husband.

At StoryCorps, Lisa and Rogelio, now 21, discuss how grateful he is that she took care of him when he was in need, and how he taught her about being a teacher and a parent.

Originally aired November 29, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Jessica Villarreal and Anthony Villarreal

In June 2008, Marine Corporal Anthony Villarreal was driving back from a mission in Afghanistan when his truck hit a roadside bomb.

Anthony suffered third-degree burns over most of his body. His right arm and the fingers on his left hand had to be amputated.

Anthony was 22 at the time, and newly married to Jessica, who was just 21.

When the couple sat down for StoryCorps, Anthony remembered the moments just after the explosion.

Note: Since this interview, Anthony and Jessica have brought a son into the world: Anthony Junior. They live in Lubbock, TX, where they did their original StoryCorps interview. Jessica is in school, working to become an art therapist for wounded veterans. Anthony is mostly a stay-at-home dad, though he does speaking engagements with the Wounded Warrior Project from time to time.

Originally aired November 9, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.

Sexual Abuse Victims, Ages 14 and 15

In October 2011, two sisters, ages 14 and 15, whose names are being withheld to protect their privacy, came to StoryCorps to remember the horror of being sexually abused by their uncle, a police officer who was also their part-time caretaker.

This conversation took place 10 days after their abuser was found guilty of sexual assault.

Originally aired November 8, 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.