Ashley Choker and Melody Woods
Recorded
July 19, 2023
Archived
July 19, 2023
35:33 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby022902
Description
Ashley Choker (38) interviews her colleague, Melody Woods (43), about her upbringing, her experience as a troubled teen struggling with substance abuse and the law, and her eventual recovery. Note: This recording has in-depth descriptions of substance abuse and domestic violence.Subject Log / Time Code
Melody Woods (MW) remembers her childhood growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
MW explains how, by the age of 14, she had her first felony and was addicted to drugs. This segment contains mentions of substance abuse.
MW remembers how things worsened once her mother died.
Ashley Choker (AC) asks MW about the unhealthy relationship she was in from ages 15-19. This segment contains mentions of domestic violence.
MW talks about serendipitously meeting her husband on the street.
MW reflects on her journey with parenting, working, and generally getting by.
MW explains how, once her husband became paralyzed, she realized she needed to go back to school to ultimately be able to better support her family.
MW reflects on how she has changed the future generations of her family with her actions, breaking cycles of poverty and making leaps in her education.
MW talks about her current work at Kalamazoo Defender and reflects on her hopes for the future.
Participants
- Ashley Choker
- Melody Woods