Jenna

Gems of the Gem Center

Posted by Jenna on April 21, 2008, from Nag's Head, North Carolina

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Kemba Bloodworth and Jenna Weiss-Berman finished their ten week North Carolina tour in the lovely Outer Banks with some recordings for the StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative. The recordings took place at the Gem Center in Nags Head, North Carolina, a wonderful day program for people in various stages of memory loss. Above, StoryCorps Memory Loss Initiative Coordinator Mitra Bonshahi (L front) and facilitator Kemba Bloodworth (R front) eat lunch with the program’s participants.

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Among the interview participants were Jerry and Jane Smallwood, who met in high school but didn’t marry until many years later. In fact, after Jerry left for the Navy, they both married other people. But through the years they couldn’t stop thinking of one another, and they were finally reunited. Jerry was injured many years ago when the plane he was piloting crashed, which was most likely the cause of his memory loss and Aphasia, but he hasn’t let his ailments stop him from taking walks on the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks with the love of his life, Jane.

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One Response to “Gems of the Gem Center”

  1. SHEILA KILLEN NORTON Says:

    HELLO ALL,
    This is so cool all the love and energy that is put into these stories. My Dad,Vince Killen, is a regular at Gem and was a participant for one of your interviews. My sister,Kathy,was present and I am sure she was very VALUEABLE. Kathy is Dad’s lifeline.
    I wish to thank all of you that have made this possible. You have allowed us to share forever in our loved ones lives as well as others.
    Love and Blessings,
    Sheila

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