ivysion

I noticed the thin layer of mostly quarters as I put the crumpled up dollar bill in his cup.

“Thank you brother.” He said.
“no problem.  Do you mind if I take your picture?”
“no, go ahead.” He said, gathering himself to look his best.
“do you do that for a hobby?”
“hmph!” I replied, “I do this for a living.”
“oh really?”
“yeah”

I’d noticed the legless man around the area a few times as he went to and forth in his motorless wheelchair.  I’d often wondered about his life.  How did he lose his legs? Is he homeless?  Where does he live?  How does he live?

“do you live around here?” I asked.
“yeah, I live right up on…..”  I wasn’t exactly sure what he said but knew it was somewhere along Stuyvesant Ave based on the direction in which he pointed and from where I’d seen him come sometimes.

“you should let me follow you around and do a story on you.”

He perked up, surprised at the suggestion.

“yeah, that’d be good.”

I explained that it would involve me following him and documenting how he lives.  I always try to explain to people just how intrusive I’m asking to be in their lives.  I’m not really sure they understand until it actually begins.  In time, I become a friend and sometimes like a family member.  This allows me to truly capture their most intimate moments.

“if you don’t mind me asking, how’d you lose your………”

“a drive by shooting,” he interjected before I could finish asking the question.

We talked about the condition of our society today and how the violence seems to be worst than ever.  He talked about how he goes to different churches to talk to the youth and how he has learned to listen more than advise.  He talked about his childhood in the 60s and how different it is today.

Listening, I came to appreciate, as I’d learned long ago, to never judge a person based on his current condition.  Some of the smartest people I’ve come to know have been some of the poorest and uneducated members of this social system.

I’m excited to have met Shaheem and look forward to learning about his life.  I hope to communicate his story in a way that will garner not sympathy, but understanding.

I’ll keep you posted.