Provide names of other journalists involved.
Milton D. Carreron
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
22-Nov-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
I knew that I wanted to write Jacqui Jarret’s story as soon as I heard from her niece who described her as an inspiration, someone who had gone through a lot of obstacles and was living life with purpose and joy. When I interviewed her for the first time, she shared all of the details of the accident and her recovery from her point of view, but she did not disclose who was driving the car on the day she lost her arm. She simply said that the person who was driving was someone who was very important to her and that she didn’t want to affect him. I continued with my reporting, interviewing her boyfriend, parents, surgeon and sister. They told me that the driver was Jacqui’s only son, Dylan, and that the accident had happened on the day that the 16-year-old got his driver’s license. It was too important to leave out of the story and they agreed. There was something very compelling about their mother-and-son relationship. They didn’t want the other to feel guilty about the accident so they keep pushing each other to thrive in life. I let enough time go by for the parents to approach Jacqui about the matter and for the family to decide whether they would share the whole story with me. Then I contacted Jacqui and asked if she and Dylan would agree to talk to me together about the accident. They agreed and that made the story.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I used the Internet and public records to contact all of the key players in Jacqui Jarret’s life, including her surgeon.
Explain types of human sources used.
The story was based on extensive interviews over several months with the subject, their family members, friends, nurses and physicians.
Results:
Jacqui Jarret is now preparing to become a motivational speaker and has continued to defy her physical boundaries, hiking, ice climbing and travelling.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
N/A
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Allow a story to grow with time. People will clarify themselves or even prove themselves wrong if they have the time to reflect on their situation. The depth that made these stories work is only achieved with patience and perseverance.