Kristin Bauer (Kent State University)
Her Own Two Feet
Gold
Domestic Picture Story
Tabitha Crabtree, a single mother of three, has lived in an apartment complex run by the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Complex for 11 years. Tabitha first moved to Wilkes Villa when she was pregnant with her first child, and never thought she would stay. Although Wilkes Villa was the best place for her at the time, throughout the years, while not making nearly enough to support a family of four, Tabitha found herself stuck in what many call the "projects." With an autistic son, mounting doctors' bills, and the cost of living, Tabitha said, "I was working so we could be OK today." A month before the move, Tabitha looked at trailer homes at Colonial Oaks Mobile Home Park, in Elyria, Oh. That same day, she put a deposit down on a home; a decision which was largely influenced by her desire to stand on her own two feet and her three children--Scott, 10, Dillon, 6, and Aurora, 3. Then, on a rainy Saturday morning in July, with the help of her children and friends, Tabitha packed a truck with her family's belongings for the move. Although her new home is just 5 minutes down the road, she and her family left public housing to go home. Tabitha said, "I got my family out, and I am never coming back."
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Tabitha Crabtree, a single mother of three, has lived in an apartment complex run by the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Complex for eleven years. Tabitha first moved to Wilkes Villa when she was pregnant with her first child, and never thought she would stay. Although Wilkes Villa was the best place for her at the time, throughout the years, while not making nearly enough to support a family of four, Tabitha found herself stuck in what many call the "projects." With an autistic son, mounting doctors' bills, and the cost of living, Tabitha said, "I was working so we could be OK today."
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Dillon, 6, awaits his family's move in his bedroom at Wilkes Villa. Dillon's autism has made this move especially difficult, and important throughout the years. His mother, Tabitha Crabtree, expresses her difficulty in raising a child, let alone an autistic child, as a single mother living in what many call "the projects." There are many scratches and crayon marks left behind above his bed from his outbursts throughout the years. Throughout the afternoon on move-in day, his family constantly encouraged him that his Spongebob Square Pants bed sheets and his stuffed animal dog will make it to the new house so they could get through the move.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
In all the excitement occurring around him, Dillon lays down on his mattress and kicks up his brothers in protest of moving. Dillon is upset to see all of his things leave the room he has lived in for years to be packed away. Although he knows he will be moving to a new home later that day, Dillon is still upset. Dillon's autism has made this move especially difficult, and throughout the afternoon on move-out day, he needed reassurance things were going to be ok.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Dillon lost his left shoe during packing and proceeded to hop on foot while his family packed and carried boxes around him for the duration of the afternoon.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Tabitha picked up a pack of cigarettes and went outside in an attempt to calm her nerves from the stress of the move. She speaks to her son, Scott, 10, about what life will be like in their new home after they are moved in. Tabitha mentioned she does not let her children play outside at the nearby playground at Wilkes Villa. She said her eldest son Scott was punched in the face by another kid at the playground, and is excited her children will be able to go out and play like other children once they move to their new home.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Tabitha Crabtree and her sons Scott, 10, and Dillon, 6, stand outside their Wilkes Villa home preparing to move on Saturday, July 27. Tabitha speaks with her eldest son Scott about packing the truck to make the move as her youngest son Dillon hops around on one foot after losing a flipflop. This will be the family's first home, as Tabitha prepares to leave the safety net of Wilkes Villa for becoming a first-time homeowner.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Aurora, 3, sits in her room at her family's new home and gazes out her window at her first backyard where she will be able to play. Her mother, Tabitha, mentioned she does not let her children play outside at the nearby playground at Wilkes Villa because it is unsafe, but is now excited her children will be able to go out and play like other children.
Story: Her Own Two Feet
Her Own Two Feet
Tabitha and her daughter Aurora, 3, sit in the doorway of their new home for the first time as Aurora kisses her mother within minutes of entering the home. This is both Aurora and her mother's first home.