Mumble Street Stories

Mumble Street Stories is a product of curiosity. It is an ongoing, long term project collecting interviews and portraits that celebrate people and life as a shared experience.

Setting up a photo tent off stage from a Make Music Day event in Portland, I was able to make a few black and white large format portraits along with a short audio recording of each musician answering the question “Why Music?”

At a local farmer’s market we invited people to come in to our tent for a portrait and to share a personal story. Below is one of those stories and a selection of other portraits follows.

“Warm evenings are spent on the front porch talking with my husband, trying to get privacy from two little girls who aren't yet asleep. We talk about my diagnosis, treatment options and what my body will look like after all of the surgeries. My husband tells me anything is better than a gravestone. I listen to my neighbors laugh and wonder when that will be us again.  

You can’t tell by looking at me that I have breast cancer. I am young and healthy, have no symptoms or lumps. I am not “at risk.” Medical literature said I could wait a few years before getting a mammogram. Fortunately, I decided to get one now.  

That mammogram lead to an early diagnosis and saved my life. Unfortunately, my cancer has a risk of recurrence and is so widespread on the right side, I am saying goodbye to my 34 DDs.

I guess I am lucky because I don’t need chemo or radiation, and, most importantly, I get to live. Right now though, I am scared, angry and incredibly sad. I am trying to show my girls how to be brave and not ask, “Why me?” too many times. It’s hard though because I want off of this roller coaster ride more than anything. Since I don’t get that choice, I am holding on tight and relying on my friends and family. I’ll get through this, and I hear I will be stronger in the end. Right now though, this is tough.”

Keyla Angell came to Portland, ORegon from Guatemala.