robert. survivor.

April 28, 2012 No comments

I had the lovely opportunity to photograph and interview Robert about his life-changing experience after a lung collapse. I think you’ll appreciate his insightful responses :)

 

 

ROBERT: I suffered a severe spontaneous pneumothorax, my lung was over 80% collapsed. I’ll always think it’s ironic that you can be so healthy your lung explodes, this injury is incredibly common amongst tall slender males in the 18-25 age demographic.

The first procedure happened 10min after I was admitted to the hospital. They put in a chest tube, which was one of the least plesant experiences ever. I still cringe thinking about it.(side note: I went to the doctor the day after my lung collapsed, I didn’t think it had since I experienced no shortness of breath. I only had intense pain on my right side. Go me)

After two days in the hospital my primary doctor was really pushing a invasive surgery to fix my lung, but something in my gut said not to consent. After another two days of that he did a few shady things trying to force the surgery on me so I ended up telling him off. He walked off the case. So I went to the OSU med center, and I’m glad. When they did the initial CT scan they found the chest tube the other doctor in zanesville put in was five inches out of position.(this explains why he wanted to go straight to surgery before my body had a chance to heal on its own. He was trying to cover his ass)
But now I had to have an operation where they fixed my lung and attached the lining of the lung to the lining of the chest wall (it’s called a pleurodesis, google it if you want all the gory details). So my right lung can never collapse again.

Final thought, never, ever, unless you’re dying, go to Genesis Good Samaritan in Zanesville.

 

ME: What calmed you the most during your experience?

ROBERT: Family, friends, music, lot’s of social networking.

 

ME: Who / what was your strength during this experience?

ROBERT: Probably my parents and my nursing staff. I’m still friends with my one tech Andy, after my surgery. I had some complications and it was really touch-and-go but everyone stayed positive. Something I had done up until that point. Being drugged out of your skull (when I’m totally sober) and trying to process the information that my heart could explode makes it hard to be cheery.

 

ME: What was your recovery like? 

ROBERT: Recovery was long mostly, it could have been longer though. I was so healthy that my recover only took a month and a half(a month and a half shorter than normal). But I’m still not 100% that could take up to a year.

In the days after I got home it was bitter sweet. I was so glad to be home but it was incredibly boring.

 

ME: How has this experience has changed you / your life?

ROBERT: Life right now is all about getting my old life back. I was getting into competitive cycling when this happened. And as any athlete will tell you any time you spend two weeks in the hospital followed by two months roughly of restricted recovery makes training total hell.

I’m active, I like being in shape and being outside. And this whole ordeal has temporally taken those things from me. The weather is finally improving so hopefully I can start pushing myself and see what my body can take.

 

ME: Do you view yourself differently since this occurred? Do you view the world differently?

ROBERT: I do view myself differently, and I definitely view the world differently.

I used to be a pretty normal 22 year old with aspirations of success and all that jazz, but after everything that happened I’m much more laid back.
I just live life and try to be happy.

I don’t give a damn about a lot of things I used to get on my soap box for, which is both weird and liberating at the same time.
I’m really hoping to get moved away from home again and get my life back so I can get back into the social work/volunteer work I like to do. So because I’m stuck at home I struggle with negative attitudes at times. Feeling worthless, but it’s just for a time then I’m back to my (new) normal positive happy self.

As far as the world’s concerned I’ve noticed that everyone around me is a fool.

People rush around chasing their dreams of what their life should be.

But they’re wasting their lives doing it. It’s impossible to explain to someone that hasn’t stared their own mortality in the face, because that changes you forever.

My advice to others? Follow your bliss. Just slow down and enjoy life, because you never know when it’s going to end.

Do what makes you happy, because that’s the purest form of success.
I’m never going to get rich helping others in need, or playing guitar, riding bikes and working on cars, but dammit I’ll wake up with a smile in my heart. I doubt CEO’s of fortune five hundred companies can say the same?

 

ME: What are you most grateful for now? 

ROBERT: I’m honestly most grateful that this happened, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. The way i’ve changed for the better as a person blows my mind. I’m just happy to be me.
I’m also incredibly thankful for every day I wake up, and my family and friends that stuck by me through all of this.

People still ask me how I’m feeling, and that just makes my day.

I know every person who’s ever had a near death experience gives that answer, but, it’s the truth.
The little things matter, it grounds you in the moment. I was bitter for a second that it happened three days after my 22nd birthday back in October, but now it’s the best birthday present ever. Hahaha

 

 

 

Photos © Michelle Black 2012

— MichelleDawn

Posted in Inspirational, People

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Angela’s Art

April 9, 2012 No comments

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Choi Yoon Seo, age 10.  South Korea.

— Hannah

Posted in Age 10 & Under Art

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Micah Tutay – SEE Interview

March 25, 2012 show hide 1 comment

We at SEEstories.com want to start doing more interviews and we thought it would be a fun idea to answer our interview questions to get our readers more excited to see future interviews and even let us interview them!  Here are my responses to the interview questions and feel free to offer up any questions that you’d like me to answer or that you’d like to see future interviewees answer!  Yes, I think I just made up that word.:)

Photography by John Morey Photography

 

WHAT TIME IS IT? WHAT DAY?

1:00 pm Sunday

 

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Payson, AZ mostly but I moved almost every year, we just always ended up back in Payson somehow.

 

THREE THINGS YOU VALUE IN YOUR LIFE.

My son, Love, Food

 

SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

I want to visit Amsterdam!

 

FOND CHILDHOOD MEMORY.

Playing in a big yard or riding bikes with my younger brother.

 

SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO ACHIEVE.

I would love to stay true to my passions and have the opportunity to lecture about them someday.

 

A MATERIAL OBJECT THAT HOLDS SENTIMENTAL VALUE.

My great-grandmother’s wedding ring.  My grandmother gave it to me before she passed away.

 

FIRST NUMBER THAT COMES INTO YOUR MIND.

4

 

LIST FOUR ADJECTIVES.

Loving, White, Funny, Motivated

 

PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE YOU.

My parents because they are always learning and trying new things.  My son because he is smarter than he knows and has the biggest heart of any teenage boy I’ve ever met.  My boyfriend because he believes in people, probably more than he would care to admit, (this includes him and myself), and he never stops learning and growing.  Anyone who can convey a complex idea in simple terms.

 

SOMETHING POSITIVE YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE WORLD.

I see people’s desire to connect with one another growing more and more;  the potential behind that concept alone is limitless!

 

SOMETHING POSITIVE YOU SEE HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

I see a lot of people working hard to support art and artists.  I am also meeting people who believe in supporting one another personally and professionally and putting overly competitive practices aside.

 

ENVISION A WHITE ROOM. YOU ARE ALONE IN THE ROOM. THERE IS ONE WINDOW.

WHAT ONE THING IS THERE WITH YOU? WHAT CAN YOU SEE OUTSIDE?

I see white tulips in a white vase on a small table next to the window and outside I see a lush yard with large trees and a single swing hanging from one of the trees.

 

A WORD OF ADVICE ABOUT LIFE.

Believe and trust in yourself.  You must believe and trust in yourself first and foremost.  If you don’t, then you end up believing and trusting all the wrong people.

 

SOMETHING THAT MADE YOU SMILE TODAY.

Having homemade soup made for me for the first time.  I’m usually the one making the soup when anyone is sick. Today it’s my turn!

 

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING AT THIS TIME TOMORROW?

Eating, I hope!:)

 

COMMON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES?

Networking, Visiting Friends, Going to Movies

 

THINGS YOU AVOID.

Drama.  I have no drama in my life and am really good at keeping it that way.  There’s just no reason for it.  I also avoid cockroaches and brussel sprouts, (I don’t like vegetables that look like green brains).

 

SOMETHING YOU MISS.

Besides my son, (very obvious choice), a steady income.

 

A TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT YOU APPRECIATE & WHY.

My cell phone!  It’s a typewriter, computer, and a phone all in one!  Are you kidding?!

 

SOMETHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR IN THIS MOMENT.

My boyfriend.  I know it sounds cheesy but I don’t care.  I have thought a lot lately about how tough things are but I have someone in my life that loves and respects me, doesn’t try to change me, and fights battles with me.  He doesn’t fight my battles for me, he doesn’t fight against me, he fights with me.  It feels good to have someone on your side through good times and bad.  I don’t show it enough but I really do appreciate his strength and loyalty, (and his chicken soup making skills).  He calms my inner storm and if you knew me, you’d know that is a HUGE deal!

— Micah Tutay

Posted in Our Website, People

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SPRING PETALS CONTEST WINNER

March 25, 2012 show hide 1 comment

 

 

 

Our first contest here at SEE has come to a close.  We had ONE submission.  It’s a very beautiful submission and we are very thankful that we received it.

I don’t want to say that we were surprised to only have one submission, but we did learn a few things.  We learned that our humble little site isn’t quite ready for a big contest. And we also learned that not many people like to mail things through the postal system any more.  This, is the one thing that bothered us probably more than only receiving one submission.  It taught us that people need to slow down.

SO, without further adieu,  our very lovely winner of the 2012 Spring Petals Contest is:  Adriana Janky.  We applaud you Adriana, for taking the time to make a beautiful card and put it in an envelope, stamp it, and address it to our Box.

Adriana, please contact either Michelle, or me to let us know what magazine subscription you would like to receive, and also your address so that we can get it to you along with your $50.00 Amazon gift card. Thank you so very much for your entry.

 

 

 

— Tara

Posted in Inspirational

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The Dance

March 23, 2012 show hide 2 comments

I have no photograph to share with this story, I did not have a camera on hand. But I’m sure while reading, you may have experienced the same scenario. I see it happen quite often, especially in larger groups.  It’s when you’re captivated by the love of two individuals.

Last night I was at a local fundraiser.  To paint the scene, there were a lot of people standing around, drinking-but not too much, laughing-but being careful what to laugh at, and of course networking (me included).  Then a band started playing.  It was wonderful music, a funk/jazz feel, with a guest singer who was just touring with Bob Seger.  She was amazing by the way.   They were playing for quite awhile, when I saw a very good looking senior couple dancing so close. The only two on the dance floor.  Just watching them made me see that in their eyes, they were the only ones in the whole building. Just them and the music. The woman was glowing, so happy and free.  The man was beaming as I watched how they would dance cheek to cheek, while he took in the smell of her hair. Not once did they stop smiling, and every few seconds they would whisper something to one another while looking into each other’s eyes and smiling.

I couldn’t help but wonder what their story was. Was she his first wife? Second? What was their secret to being so in love? Was it the free drinks? Was it joy from bidding on, and winning an autographed guitar from Sting? Was it the music? Was it the ability to be themselves among a crowd?  Part of me yearned to stop them and ask, but I couldn’t bring myself to break something so beautiful apart. I could have chased them out the door as they left and yelled, “Whats your secret?” But part of me wanted to find out on my own, with my own life, with my own secret of love.  What works for one, may not work for the other.

Someday, I’d love to be that couple on the dance floor with someone like me watching and wondering. What’s the secret?

— Trisha

Posted in Love Stories

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The New Guinea Singing Dog

March 22, 2012 No comments

I have been fortunate enough to have hands on experience with the New Guinea Singing Dog, or also known as the “Singer.” With only a few hundred in existence, they are easily the rarest dog on Earth.  Isolated on the island of Paupa New Guinea, this dog breed is genetically unique from any other, although they are closely related to the Australian Dingo.  Essentially the dinosaurs of the Canid family;  they are a true primitive breed, tens of thousands of years old.

Little to no information is known about the New Guinea Singing Dog. In the 50′s, a few Singers were brought to the United States from the island, and were placed in zoos to be studied. They have never been observed in their natural habitat. It is now believed these dogs are extinct in the wild; although there is no certain answer. They have been re-classified several times, from a variant to the dingo to a domestic dog. The most recent classification of them as domestic dogs meant that most zoos gave them away to private owners. Unfortunately, this meant that there has not been any large effort to keep this amazing species alive…besides Singer enthusiasts who strive to preserve this ancient breed.

Despite what you may find on the web, Singers live in many private homes happily with other dogs and children. Just like any other dog, when raised properly they are not aggressive and are certainly trainable. Still, a few differences are obvious. To show affection to their people and fellow canines, they rub like cats and give gentle nibbles when licking.

This is just a start of what I have been learning about these fascinating animals…I think to preserve them is not only important to canine history, but to human history.  I firmly believe we can learn a lot about both if we dig deep enough!

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— Rachel Lauren

Posted in Animals and Pets

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Korea, as I see it

March 21, 2012 show hide 1 comment

Here are some photos taken over the last few months of life in Korea. It’s hard to describe this country that seems to be simultaneously stuck in centuries-old tradition and moving into the future at breakneck speed, so I’ll just let you see for yourself.

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— Hannah

Posted in Photo Essays

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Music and Memories

March 19, 2012 show hide 5 comments

Inspiration - A Self Portrait

I found a CD the other day with no writing on it, no indication as to what could have been on it.  Curiosity got the better of me and I finally put it in.  Have you ever had those moments where you find old music compilations you created or someone created for you and it sweeps you away into that time and place?  This CD did that for me.  Every song spoke to me in a way that made me smile.  As I racked my brain trying to recall when I could have made this disc a song came on that affected me more than the ones before it: Say (All I Need) – OneRepublic

I was immediately swept back to when this song had the deepest meaning for me.  It was a few years ago in the truck of a man I had loved since high school.  I was changing my world around me, my heart was broken and this one person had come back into my life after so many years and had reminded me of who I really was.  I had lost myself years ago in a marriage that began when I was far too young and this childhood friend had come back into my life at just the right time.  This song played on a CD I had made as we drove together in his truck to his home.  I held onto him so tightly because I knew how very temporary this would be.  For all the good he had done for me, I knew that there would be no “we”.  I held onto him and that moment as this song played knowing I would have to say ‘goodbye’.  Later we would see one another again off and on because that friendship will always be there but our hearts would drift apart as I knew they would.  For a while I would go back and forth, hanging onto the maybes and the hopes that so easily confuse and cloud our thinking and judgment but I would always go back to that one perfect day where this song played and I was reminded that I always knew deep down that this was not the man for me.  We would never be able to love one another in the way either of us would need… and that was ok.

The CD went to the next song which overwhelmed me so much I actually needed to pull my car over: All I Want – Kate Earl

I was reminded of hearing this song for the first time and how it came to me at a perfect time.  This song reminded me of who I am and what I live for.  No one else had to like it, I didn’t care; I knew what it meant for me.  When I would listen to it I would feel overwhelmed with gratitude for that person that came at just the right time and taught me to open my heart up again.  I had been numb for so many years, not so much as a tear was shed no matter what tragic occurrence would befall me and this one person ignited the passion inside of me once again.  I began to learn how to feel again.  I learned how to love myself.  I learned how to be strong and compassionate at the same time.  This song reminded me of what I had learned and that was that I was capable of a lot of love.  I learned that it was wrong to believe that being single meant you didn’t know love.  I had a love in me that wasn’t limited to a single relationship but was enough to love the entire world and I needed to learn that before I could know the kind of love that seemed to still elude me.  I learned that we all have that much love and at times we limit it when we become overly focused on the love we feel we don’t have as opposed to the love that we do have.  I learned that any relationship, regardless of the type, if it leaves you with more questions, uncertainty, or confusion than it does answers, (maybe even to questions you didn’t know you even had), feelings of security, safeness, or clarity are not healthy relationships and there are times when you have to love yourself enough to step back and maybe love someone from a safer distance.

We all have songs that take us to certain moments.  We go back in time, taking trips in our mind to places that may have been wonderful or incredibly painful.  Maybe the song is painful now because it brings back a beautiful moment we know we’ll never get back.  I choose to listen to those songs and make new memories with them.  It feels good to look back and acknowledge everything you’ve learned, it means you’ve made progress and so often we forget to give ourselves credit for that.  If some memories are far too painful, then perhaps that’s because we aren’t ready to face what we were meant to learn so we can move forward.  Every event, every choice, every person that has come into your life up to now has helped shape you into the person you are now.  It’s up to you to determine how that happens, what you do with it, and where you let those lessons take you.  Just don’t spend so much time looking backwards or become to consumed with what hasn’t happened yet that you forget to appreciate the present.

— Micah Tutay

Posted in Inspirational, Love Stories, Music, Videos

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SEE The Stars

March 15, 2012 show hide 2 comments

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” ~ Vincent VanGogh

I recently visited the VanGogh Alive the Experience at the Arizona Science Center and it was a very moving and inspiring exhibit.  Seeing all of VanGogh’s writings and quotes along with his paintings on large screens helped you get lost in his creative mind.  With classical and violin music playing in the background your senses are overpowered and you take pause as you connect with a person that seems so familiar to so many of us even though we never met him.  As you connect with VanGogh you realize your in a large room full of people doing the same thing.  We are all connected by the same person and are all feeling and thinking something different.  I would love someday to talk to people after experiencing an exhibit or event and get different perspectives, what stands out to one person and opposed to another.  Moments like this remind us that if we take pause, we connect, we learn, we experience, we see…

— Micah Tutay

Posted in Favorite Things, Inspirational, Words and Phrases

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Meet Blaire

March 14, 2012 show hide 1 comment

I had the recent pleasure of working with the lovely and oh-so-sweet Blaire. I hope you enjoy the “Meet Someone” posts as we will be doing many more and this is the first one. Special thanks to Blaire for offering up her time to help with the SEE project!

 

 

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WHAT TIME IS IT? WHAT DAY?

1:45 pm on Friday

 

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Dresden, Ohio

 

THREE THINGS YOU VALUE IN YOUR LIFE. 

Family (and boy friend), friends, an education

 

SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

Ride an elephant
FOND CHILDHOOD MEMORY. 

Used to sit and watch cartoons while my dad braided my hair:)

 

SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO ACHIEVE. 

Graduate college

 

A MATERIAL OBJECT THAT HOLDS SENTIMENTAL VALUE.

My Elmo that I have had ever since I can remember. I couldn’t leave the house without him when I was little. He still sleeps with me every once in a while.

 

FIRST NUMBER THAT COMES INTO YOUR MIND. 

12

 

LIST FOUR ADJECTIVES. 

Happy, unique, artistic, creative

 

PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE YOU. 

Parents and college professors

 

SOMETHING POSITIVE YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE WORLD. 

no answer.

 

SOMETHING POSITIVE YOU SEE HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

no answer.

 

ENVISION A WHITE ROOM. YOU ARE ALONE IN THE ROOM.  WHAT ONE THING IS THERE WITH YOU?

THERE IS ONE WINDOW – WHAT DO YOU SEE OUTSIDE?

A set of paint so I can brighten up the room:) I see a big tree with a couple of deer in a field.. With a beautiful sunset:)

 

A WORD OF ADVICE ABOUT LIFE. 

Don’t make a permanent decision on your temporary feelings.

 

SOMETHING THAT MADE YOU SMILE TODAY. 

My silly puppy♥

 

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING AT THIS TIME TOMORROW? 

Shooting targets maybe? Hard to say!

 

COMMON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES?

I don’t go out much, I like to stay home with my boyfriend and puppy, cook, bake, and watch movies:)

 

THINGS YOU AVOID. 

Politics

 

SOMETHING YOU MISS.

I miss good television!

 

A TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT YOU APPRECIATE & WHY.

IPhone, couldn’t live without it!

 

SOMETHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR IN THIS MOMENT.

My health and my family♥

— MichelleDawn

Posted in People

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