Devin Johnson

Devin Johnson talks about coming to Eugene for better medical care for his brother, and about skate parks creating feelings of belonging.

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[00:00:00] Leah Velez: You're listening to Story Helix: intertwining stories past, present, and not yet imagined in Lane County, Oregon. What's up, earthlings? I'm Leah Velez, and I'll be your host. 

[00:00:24] The story we're about to hear was recorded by a young interviewer at a Eugene Alternative High School. They chose someone in their community to ask questions and sent in their recordings as part of a class project. Some of them are folks that worked in the school, some are community members, they know some are siblings and some are friends. 

[00:00:43] Let's open up our ear nuggets and give it a listen.

[00:00:49] Devin Johnson: Feeling like you belong somewhere, is feeling like you're a part of the community, feeling like you are accepted, especially amongst your peers.

[00:01:01] If belonging had a sound... it's a tough question. I'd say like a deep sigh of relief. Like a "ahhhhhh." Yeah. 

[00:01:11] You know, when I first moved here, it was very... Everyone was judgmental, everyone was, it was just dirty looks all around. Unless you had something to pretty much give or offer people, they didn't really care for you.

[00:01:25] And then the moment I met the select few, that all changed. But at first I definitely, yeah. Didn't feel like I belonged here. I would say now it does. Yes. at first it definitely didn't. Now I would completely agree. Yeah, it does. What really makes this feel like home though, is definitely the people that I've met here.

[00:01:45] It was kind of my mom's decision. My older brother was a quadriplegic and it was much easier living in Eugene because we were a lot closer to the hospital River Bend, and which is also her work as well as other family members.

[00:02:00] I've experienced a lot of loss as well as a lot of gain, a lot of ups and downs, but, most importantly, growth.

[00:02:09] I like a lot of the skate parks, especially the one under the Washington Jefferson Bridge. That's a really fun one. I try and go during the weekdays. Weekends I'll go less, but when I do go, I'll ride longer. But if I had to choose an all time favorite, I'd say anywhere you can see the sunset, maybe on drives. A couple good roads here that you can see the sunset very well. I would say it feels relieving as well as exciting, encouraging. 

[00:02:38] Eugene has shaped me in the sense of I used to be a lot more open with everything to everyone, and it shaped me by showing me. Not everyone is trustworthy. Not everyone will be by your side. Not everyone will have your back. 

[00:02:58] And the way that I feel like I have shaped my town, Eugene, is positively. In school today, there was a lot of very positive comments made about me, and, it really made me happy, because it showed me that my, my efforts have and do make change with people. I feel like I've shaped my town by making it feel safer, especially in an uncomfortable environment.

[00:03:28] Leah Velez: Thanks for listening. You can find us wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you've got your own Lane County story to tell, we'd love to hear it at storyhelix.wordcrafters.org.