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Magnum Showcase: Personal Stories

Over the past year and a half I have been documenting my family as an on-going project. My sister, Chaya, is a single mother who has two children, her three year old daughter Lily and her 16 month old son, Hayden. Chaya is twenty two and has suffered from depression since the age of sixteen as well as the disease of addiction, making it much more challenging as a mother. Because of on going mental health issues Chaya had her children put in the care of the Children's Aid Society (CAS) in the fall of 2011. Lily was put in the care of Chaya's mother Terry and Hayden was put into a foster home. Chaya's visitation rights are greatly limited and supervised at a visitation centre with Hayden and at her mother's home with Lily. In Chaya's journey to get custody of her children and to see her well-being, she went through a strict 24 day program at 'Hope Place', with other women who struggle with what is termed as the 'disease of addiction'. There has been great growth and change in Chaya's life since the program. Lily still remains in the care of Terry and Hayden is currently in foster care. Steps are being made to get the kids back in the next several months.

Blue eyes

Lily stands at the window in Chaya's apartment. Chaya can also be seen in the window with her hand on her pregnant belly.

Blue eyes
Bath time

Bath time
Bathroom Laughs

Terry and Chaya converse in the washroom as Lily plays in the bath.

Bathroom Laughs
Helping out

Terry (Nana) holds Lily after her bath. Chaya sits in deep thought.

Helping out
Supper

Chaya feeds Lily on the back porch of her apartment.

Supper
Hayden

Chaya stands in her apartment and shows off her belly, pregnant with Hayden. Chaya's apartment is located at back of her mom's house making it easier to monitor Chaya's mental health issues.

Hayden
Men

Chaya's boyfriend (ex) plays with Lily in the backyard. This is the Father of Hayden but he no longer sees Lily. Although it's been three months since he left, Lily occasionally asks where he is.

Men
Addiction

Chaya smokes at her mom's house. Chaya has been smoking since her teens as a way to help cope with anxiety.

Addiction
Visits

Chaya has a visit with Hayden at the York Region Children's Aid Society (CAS). Chaya has a few visits each week but thankfully the visits are increasing and Chaya will soon be allowed to take Hayden out to eat or to the park. Hayden's Father also visits Hayden each week but separate from Chaya.

Visits
Angel

Lily plays in the backyard during the Christmas break.

Angel
The Look

Lily watches with admiration as Chaya applies lip gloss on Christmas morning. Christmas morning started late as Chaya often sleeps in and often during the day. Fatigue is just one symptom of Chronic Depression.

The Look
Play

Terry (Nana) and Lily joke around outside. Terry has now been the primary caregiver of Lily for almost one year now.

Play
Summer Fun

Summer Fun
Summer Hugs

Terry holds Lily in the backyard.

Summer Hugs
Letters

Chaya writes a letter to each member of the family while at 'Hope Place'. In her recovery, Chaya spent 24 days at a program for women who struggle with the disease of addiction. The program is very strict, allowing for only one family visit, a ten minute phone conversation each week and no music, books or treats begin brought into the centre.

Letters
Embrace

Chaya hugs Lily at 'Hope Place' during one of few visits with the kids during her stay.

Embrace
A walk in the woods

Terry takes Lily for a walk down to the river. Terry tries to do something fun and active with Lily during the weekends. Every other weekend Lily stays at her adopted Nana's house, Nana Sue.

A walk in the woods
The Boyne

Lily cools off in the river during Ontario's summer heat and humidity.

The Boyne
Bedtime

Terry settles Lily down for the evening. With increases in Chaya's visits, she also takes part in putting Lily to bed.

Bedtime
Sweet Dreams

Lily sleeps peacefully in her bed.

Sweet Dreams

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