Terry lost all voluntary muscle control and Diana lost any comfort of a normal marriage, but love and hope are far from lost. Diana knew what she was agreeing to when she married Terry Howard, one of the youngest to ever be diagnosed with Lou- Gehrig’s disease. A disease that has no known cure and a survival rate of three to five years after diagnosis is the prospect Terry has been living with for almost 30 years. The Howard’s have found unique ways to overcome loss of communication and have adjusted aspects of their life together to cherish every unexpected day they continue to share together.
Unbreakable
Within two weeks Alisha Waters had received 186 texts from her estranged husband D.J. Mathis. He used psychological abuse, and threats of harm in his texts and calls. On April 22, 2013 Alisha Waters was denied a Domestic Violence Order six days after receiving an Emergency Protective Order. Kenton Family Court Judge Lisa Bushelman’s court order read “no allegation of domestic violence.” On Aug. 6, 2013 DJ Mathis followed Waters to her work and changed Alisha’s life forever.
Connected
George Wolffbrandt loves his land.
He has lived, worked and raised his family on the 200 acre farm for 25 years, where he his wife Cheryl grow their own food and raise livestock.
The property is dotted with old cemeteries, historical sites and endangered species but may soon have to share the space with a proposed $400 million two-lane road that would stretch 13 miles between I-75 and US 27 in Nicholasville, Ky.
Of the highway’s potential routes, one runs directly through Wolffbrandt’s farm.
Headliner
At 40 years old, wrestler Chris Michaels, of Franklin, Ky., still considers his life to be “pretty much neck and neck with being a rock star.” The father of three believes he’s at the peak of his career, and shows no signs of stopping. “It’s all smoke and mirrors and flashing lights,” says Michaels, “but I try to live that illusion, like I’m surrounded by women and partying all the time. Sometimes though I wish I was normal.”
by Danny Guy
One Day at a Time
Amanda Day, a single mother of three, struggles to raise her children Killian, 14, Zane, 12, and Aiyana 11 who are all on the Autism Spectrum. Physically, the Day children are considered normal but each of them has an array of sensory and developmental disorders that hinder them from interacting with the world around them. Though her children’s autism is trying on Amanda’s daily life, it is their love for one another, she says, that always keeps them moving forward.
By: Katie McLean
Another Life
Jackson Cofer has completely separated himself from Tina Maria. Tina is a person of the past as Jackson now leads a new life in Lexington, KY with support from friends and family.
Second Time Around
After a marriage each and 16 years apart, James and Barbara Taylor reconnected and shortly thereafter were exchanging vows. Now, the two have found contentment halfway through life and turned hobby into profession. Operating out of a shop beside their home in Bowling Green, Ky., the couple have worked and lived together in harmony for over 24 years.
– Danny Guy and Rae Emary, WKU
The Only Sure Thing
The Only Sure Thing
To 98-year-old Tyrus Cobb Bailey, death is the only sure thing. He has watched as his parents and six siblings passed away one-by-one over the last century. Although he is not afraid of dying, Bailey has used his passion for woodworking to prepare for the inevitable. This project was produced by Zach Conkle over the winter break. Nice job Zach!
There’s No Place Like Home
There’s No Place Like Home
Lelia Jones Ruth, 26, has been a mother for ten years. However, it wasn’t until her recent divorce that she became a single parent. In addition to getting herself and her four boys to school on time and planning birthday parties, Ruth quickly realized an added devistating loss in this new chapter of her life can be very trying and often unpredictable.
Leave Without Absence
Leave Without Absence
Chris Jensen, who has been sent to Iraq three times, faces another deployment to Afghanistan on Dec. 27. He and his wife, Holly, have been separated for nearly half of their nine-year marriage. “You’re more scared that when you come back your kids aren’t going to remember who you are,” Chris said.
He tries to stay connected with his children by recording himself reading bedtime stories. They can see his face and hear his voice at the end of each day. Nevertheless, Chris worries that his son, Ryan, may face challenges transitioning from boyhood to manhood without his father at home.