9/8/2021 - 9/19
9/8/2021
After I graduated college, moved in back with my mom after a toxic living situation, and felt utterly alone, I decided to escape my problems in my 2004 Toyota Corolla with my best friend, my mini Australian Shepherd named Ansel.
I set out on the road toward Chicago to visit my cousin Brad, his wife Erika, and Brad’s son--Max. I knew I wanted to go on a long road trip, but I never thought it would be three months and 16,000 miles.
9/13 - 9/18
For once, I finally felt in a comfortable living space in over two years. Brad, Erika, and Max made me feel right at home. I was in such a hole before this trip that I didn’t realize how upset my living situation made me. Watching Brad and Erika as role models for Max showed me what a true family looks like--something I had never experienced because my parents divorced at such a young age.
I haven’t been close to my dad in years. Honestly, I didn’t know what a solid father figure looked like. Fortunately, Brad restored that idea in my head. How he treats Max and Erika gave me hope that other families can flourish and grow as a unit.
Brad and Erika inspired me to go on a long road trip to truly explore my curiosities about the mental health stigma. Throughout our conversations, they continuously pushed me to do this road trip because I wouldn’t be able to in the future. I had an idea for a project to interview people about the stigma, so I set out to do it the next day.