The ProjectOne Thousand Words is a youth driven photovoice project that explores the world surrounding five unique teenagers in Richmond, Virginia. This page features their collected narratives, showcasing a select number of photos per participant. Click on their artist photos or names to access all photos taken throughout the project.
|
Asia
Obstacles with Hope
There was one day I came to work and I was looking cute. I like to dress up. My back was hurting, my head was hurting, my ankle was hurting, but no one knew I was in pain. I go to the Children’s Pavilion once a month to get an infusion, and I walk past this picture and I look at it every time. With hope, you can get through anything. I got this disease called MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease). It’s an irritating and visible disease that messes with the nerves in my body. To me the hearts are saying, “hope to get through this”. I don’t like needles, they irritating. The painting helps me calm down cause there’s a needle about to go into my arm. It keeps me calm. It’s peaceful. It’s colorful. I like art. It says, “Peace”. In the picture, there’s a nurse and a doctor. Those are children in the middle getting help. Colors in this picture are happy, joyful, peace. You can be in pain and no one would ever notice. You can look OK, but you’re really not. They don’t know you’re in pain but you know yourself you’re in pain. |
BiographyMy name is Asia and I am 19 and I love to do fun stuff. I went rock climbing with my best friend, it was fun because it was out of my comfort zone.
Accomplishment
I set it up like that because my room wasn’t clean at the time. I needed to make a background for it. You see, the diploma, it is something BIG. Not everyone graduates High school. I was hype and happy because I am done. I ain’t gotta come back and I don’t gotta take no more SOLs. If you put school and that story together of my disease together, I was taking the hardest class ever. It was my junior year and that is when all of this happened (MCTD). I didn’t find out I had the condition until a month ago. I started having nerve and back pain. My doctor thought it was Lupus. A doc here at VCU diagnosed it as MCTD. That’s when it happened and even though it happened I made it to here, my diploma. I felt like I was not gonna graduate. I couldn’t do the hard class because I was in and out of the hospital. I did it by strong effort and mental capacity. Now, I got my diploma. I’m good. Now I go to college, take up pre-nursing and afterward become a Neonatologist. |
The Moment
I like very social events like weddings, parties and stuff. I wanted to capture the moment because it was fun, joyful and it wasn’t sad. You know how somebody may see it differently than the other person? Someone may see this is a regular wedding photo. I say it’s a moment to remember. Life isn’t always great. You should always remember the good moments and capture them. When you remember the good moments, you don’t always have to remember the trials and tribulations of life, the hard times of life. It was a happy moment. Not all moments are happy. I was happy in that moment because they are happy. Some are sad, some are chaotic, and some are stressful. I like seeing other people happy. I don’t like seeing people sad. It makes me sad. I think, “what can I do to make you not feel sad? |
Makkah
Zione
Up or Down
In life, where you are going in life, you have choices. Up or Down. Choose only one. Bravery
(There was) bravery in me taking a photo of a bee. This bee was brave (too) and independent in its life, this bee was away from other bees. |
Biography |
The Fence
I took this photo because of the pattern of the fence. It made me think about the (pegs?) and it is blocking the bridge where I used to cross. Loneliness
It’s not being used. (This) water fountain is looking for attention. |
Zyashia
Environmental Outcast
Beautiful and well behaved are all the characteristics. But you wouldn’t know how I am different from what you see. I am in a place of home, but I am not home. I am by myself but am not alone. I know this is not where I belong. I don’t feel freedom or space for comfort, because my environment is not mine. The War Is On
In the same place, there are two different things; a place of happiness and a place of disparity. A thin line lives between the lightness and darkness. Here you’ll find two stories, one is great sorrow and another is freedom. The war is between the walls. |
BiographyMy name is Zyashia. I am 16 years old. I attend Armstrong High School and I love to write.
Age Behind The Lens
A modern day difference between the lens of vintage and today. It’s like looking through time with no time difference. Not something you understand but something you feel. The outreach of photos and its appeal. |
Nature's Rebel
Butterflies are beautiful and everyone loves them. Bees’ sting, nobody likes them. Made me think what hurts isn’t always hurtful and that there is beauty in the bee. Being in cohabitation with danger isn’t always dangerous. Appealed by the sight of the butterfly and its beauty, but what is the beauty when its wings are not open? Protection of one’s self when in cohabitation with the unwanted outcast. But there is beauty in the bee. |