I’ve never watched documentaries and never thought of ever being in one. When Alex, founder of One Life Project (OLP), told me I would be the second star of OLP’s documentary, I didn’t know what to expect. He said he picked me to be in the documentary because I’m a good speaker. I felt excited and nervous. I had little idea how it would be filmed.

Last Tuesday I drove to Colonie, NY, a part of Albany. My husband can no longer drive, and I have never driven more than three hours without having him share the driving. Colonie is 365 miles, five hours and forty minutes away from my home. We left at eight A.M., which is early for me. I take sleeping medication which makes me drowsy in the morning, but the night before my husband and I went to bed early. We made it to Colonie around two-thirty P.M. Not too long after we settled into our room, Alex came to pick us up for my first filming.

My husband and I rode with Alex to a park. At the park Alex picked out the right spot to start. At one spot the sun was in my eyes, and another spot was too dark. Once we found a good spot the filming began. Alex filmed me using his cell phone. He asked me questions and I had to answer them without looking like I was answering a question. Questions like “Why do you choose to volunteer for an organization that helps youth with mental illness?” I’d have to answer, “I volunteer for an organization that helps youth with mental illness because I was once a young person struggling with mental illness not knowing what was wrong with me. I want to make sure no child feels as confused and alone as I did.”

I had to answer some questions standing under a tree and some while walking. I tripped over my words and what I wanted to say came out wrong. I had to start over several times. The wind picked up and something hit me in the face. I said “ouch” and “take two.” My husband sat patiently on a rock watching a soccer game in the distance. Alex and I laughed over the words that came out wrong. That made it fun.

After we left the park, we filmed on a street corner and while I was walking down the sidewalk. I stood on the corner ready to talk, and a car drove up and parked with its radio blasting. We waited for the driver to turn off the car. Then we started filming, and a man revved up his motorcycle. We waited again. When the motorcyclist drove off, we began. I was tired from driving all the way there and filming in the park beforehand. I kept making mistakes. I had to redo one question ten times. Afterwards we went to dinner at an Asian buffet.

The next day we got up at seven-thirty A.M. and at eight we followed Alex by car to Amherst Massachusetts to one of OLP’s offices. That was a two-hour drive. At the office we filmed for four to five hours. I sat in a chair answering the questions like I wasn’t answering questions. Take two. Take three. Take four. Take five. I was able to take breaks when I needed it. Some questions I wasn’t sure how to answer, and I winged it.

I talked about Alex, who has become not only my boss, but a good friend. I also talked about OLP, mental illness, and my story. Talking about mental illness and OLP is important to me. I’m passionate about my work I do for OLP and about mental illness. My own story was the easiest part.

After we were done at the office, we went to  the University of Massachusetts and did some brief filming. The college was busy and we had to wait while people passed by to film. After we were done, we drove back to Colonie for supper. Once my husband and I got back to our hotel room I was exhausted. I went to bed early that night.

The final filming was Thursday. I was filmed in a park for a few minutes before heading home. The long drive home seemed endless. The three days of filming were fun and tiring. I will also be filmed again in December. Then in February I will be going to Boston for the launch party of the documentary. The documentary will be on social media and on YouTube. I will post a link when it comes out.

I don’t know how much of my filming will be used. It could be only five minutes or more. I do know I will be in the documentary. I’m excited to see how the documentary is put together. The filming was quite a unique experience. I’m so happy I have gotten the chance to be part of something as wonderful as this.

Because I continue to help youth and young adults with mental illness through One Life Project, I stand proudly in the light of recovery.

Is there something special that has happened in your life that you’ll never forget?

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