Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Life
Graphic
Photo: David Gilkey / NPR
Originally broadcast on
Diaries ›

Melissa: 16 Years Later

Teenage Diaries Listen to Melissa's diary 16 years earlier »

As an 18 year old raised in the foster care system, Melissa took NPR listeners along when she gave birth to her son Issaiah. Over the past 16 years Melissa and her son have faced many challenges, from eviction notices to her son’s life-threatening medical diagnosis. In her new diary, Melissa chronicles her life as a working single mother, and reveals things about her past that her son has never known.

See more about Melissa at npr.org

Produced by Joe Richman with Sarah Kate Kramer
Edited by Deborah George and Ben Shapiro
Mixed by Ben Shapiro

Comments are closed.

You may also like ...

Graphic

Amanda: 16 Years Later

At the age of 17, Amanda knew she was gay. But her parents kept insisting she’d grow out of it. Today, a lot has changed in the country, and within her own family. In her new story, Amanda goes back to her parents to find out how they came to accept having a daughter who is gay.

Listen
Graphic

Josh: 16 Years Later

In high school, Josh documented his life with Tourette’s Syndrome. 16 years later, Josh records a new diary about trying to live a normal adult life with a brain that often betrays him.

Listen
css.php