Caught in the Cycle
“My life is like a Ferris wheel”. A twenty-nine year old mother in Clinton, MO, Amanda Jones struggles with
addiction and mental disorders. She and her two children who live with her move from one home to another
as she struggles to find a job to provide stability in her life. She recently moved back to transitional housing
at FAITH, a government funded program for victims of domestic violence. This is the life she knew as a
child—moving from place to place with her mother who also had problems with drugs and abusive relationships.
After getting settled into her new apartment, Amanda decorated her new place with pictures and began assuming a new life
with her children enrolling them in the local school. Life was looking up. But during a relapse in judgment, she stole a prescription
pad from a doctor’s office and attempted to fill it at a local
pharmacy. She was arrested, booked and taken back to her apartment by
police.
She faces pending felony changes for forgery, possession of a controlled substance and other possible misdemeanor charges.
Forced
to leave her new apartment, she has taken safe haven at a friend’s
house with her children and will soon begin rehabilitation.
(Story created during Missouri Photo Workshop 2011)
A picture of Amanda’s mother, Paula Jones, sits next to Amanda’s doll collection. “I think she made wrong choices,” in describing her own mother. I don't remember that she ever asked me how my day was. She was so lost and busy with her life but she did the best she can at the time, and that's enough for me.” Her mother passed away about 6 years ago.
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Amanda takes two of her children to the bus stop early one morning. Brant, age 6, holds Amanda’s hand as Brittni, age 7, leads the way.
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Waiting for the bus to arrive, Amanda chats with kids. “I want my kinds to be proud of me,” she is quick to point out.
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After school, Brittni and Brant enjoy a little playtime at the neighborhood playground, a part of the FAITH center.
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Daughter Brittni helps her mother clear out a clothes closet after they were evicted from the FAITH housing, one of many places the family has lived.
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Early one afternoon, Amanda catches a quick nap in their cramped living room before the kids arrive back home from school.
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Before the kids got home from school that day, Amanda stops at the local pharmacy to pick up a prescription. But when the pharmacy checked the details, they discovered it’s fraudulent nature and they called the police.
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A Clinton police officer checks Amanda’s purse for illegal prescriptions as she waits already in handcuffs. The officer did find other illegal drugs in her purse resulting in a felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
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After Amanda’s booking at the police station, they took her back to the FAITH center where she quickly found the kids arriving home from school. Heading back to their now-temporary home, Amanda and her kids pretend that all is well. The next day, they were required to leave. Then, they moved to another temporary home, a friend’s house, and Amanda will renew her rehabilitation struggles.
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After Amanda’s booking at the police station, they took her back to the FAITH center where she quickly found the kids arriving home from school. Heading back to their now-temporary home, Amanda and her kids pretend that all is well. The next day, they were required to leave. Then, they moved to another temporary home, a friend’s house, and Amanda will renew her rehabilitation struggles.
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