Day 35 (Wed., Oct. 5)

I've been feeling pretty bad lately because the move from California to Texas and then to Florida has put me at a financial tight-rope. I have been feeling as if things could not be any worse. Today I was given a reality check. I actually have it very well. I am healthy and I can be thankful for it. I started the day in Coral Springs where I met Faustina Fuentes and her 12-year-old son, Jose Luis. The boy has struggling through brain damage for three years ever since he was ran over and dragged by a truck as he walked home from school. His mother has been doing everything possible to get him the right treatment. So far, it's worked.

Recently, the Dominican Republic family took a trip to Mexico where Jose Luis got a two-million stem cell transplant. It's been a month and half and Jose Luis is now more alert. Signs that things are working out. She's currently trying to raise funds so that she can go to Mexico and get four million more stem cells transplanted onto his system. It should help him.

I was very moved by Jose Luis' story that I told his mom I would help in any way I can. If you want to help, and have any ideas how she can raise the funds. Please e-mail me and I can forward that info to her.

It's quite interesting how this week is turning out to be. Remember how on Sunday I was very upset over what the priest said at church? He and the Catholic church are against stem cell research. It's their disapproval that have slowed things down for scientists to keep on doing work on stem cells. Well, Mexico is being a lot more aggressive in their research and they are being progressive because of it. It might help Jose Luis in the long run. We'll just have to see.

I hope that when those "moral" people think the advance of science is a bad thing, they think of Jose Luis. It might help him, it might not. But at least his family is trying everything possible. Why not? It's a life we are dealing w/ here. I find it very confusing how some religious figures go off and say how abortion is a bad thing because it's terminating the life of a human being, yet they oppose any kind of research that will help in the life of people like Jose Luis. So, are you for saving human beings, or not? Let's be consistent. Please!

I was gearing up to go home when I was given an assignment. The Phantom of the Opera is playing here. One of the dancers on the show is a local. So, we chased the local angel of this story. Earlier today we had access to take photos of Julieanne. However, they were set up photos and we were looking for a "real" behind-the-scenes view. So, we got the OK to go take photos as she prepared for tonight's performance. So, I showed up and hung out w/ Julianne as she got ready for her show. The above photo takes the cake, I believe. As she applied make-up, she looked into this small round mirror. It gave me the perfect angle to shoot the perfect photo. I was excited as I shot this photo because I was being creative and because I was putting some symbolism into the photo. Look at the photo, doesn't that give you that Phantom of the Opera feel to it. You know, as in the mask that covers that famous scar. If you seen the play you know what I am talking about. If you've ever seen the propaganda for the play you know what I am talking about. Doesn't this photo give you that feeling?

It was really cool hanging out w/ Julianne backstage. I was able to see what it takes to prepare for a show. It seems fun. She's got a good working relationship w/ the other girls on the show. At least that's what I was able to tell from the hour or so I was able to hang out w/ her. I had fun being there. It's always fun being around artists.

Yesterday - Main - Tomorrow